Commitments and Contingencies - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Equipment leased to others	$ 586	$ 525
Long-term Debt	5,058
Available stand-by letters of credit and surety bonds	90
Purchase commitments	26
Long Term Purchase Commitment Cancellation Fees	34
Accrual for environmental loss contingencies	$ 19
G E Operating Agreement [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Operating Agreement Excess Loss Percentage	10.00%
Loss Sharing Agreement, Percentage	9.50%
Off Balance Sheet Finance Receivables	$ 1,400	1,500
Off Balance Sheet Finance Receivables Related Originations1		2,400
G E Operating Agreement [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Equipment leased to others	116	48
Manufacturing Operations [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	3,407
Manufacturing Operations [Member] | Financed lease obligations [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	130	52
Manufacturing Operations [Member] | G E Operating Agreement [Member] | Financed lease obligations [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	$ 129	$ 51