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Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended 69 Months Ended 0 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 0 Months Ended
Apr. 03, 2015
Mar. 28, 2014
Mar. 29, 2013
Sep. 30, 2012
Jan. 26, 2015
patent
Dec. 08, 2010
patent
Feb. 06, 2015
patent
Oct. 30, 2014
patent
Apr. 22, 2015
patent
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]                  
Rent expense $ 128us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense $ 121us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense $ 124us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense            
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]                  
Total net revenue 6,508us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet 6,676us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet 6,906us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet            
GSA Schedule Contract                  
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]                  
Total net revenue       222us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ symc_LossContingencyContractAxis
= symc_GeneralServicesAdministrationGsaMultipleAwardScheduleContractMember
         
GSA analysis of damage exposure 145symc_GeneralServiceAdministrationAnalysisOfDamageExposure
/ symc_LossContingencyContractAxis
= symc_GeneralServicesAdministrationGsaMultipleAwardScheduleContractMember
               
Current estimate of the low end of the range of estimated loss 25us-gaap_LossContingencyRangeOfPossibleLossMinimum
/ symc_LossContingencyContractAxis
= symc_GeneralServicesAdministrationGsaMultipleAwardScheduleContractMember
               
Intellectual Ventures (IV) vs. Symantec | Pending Litigation                  
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]                  
Number of patents allegedly infringed         3us-gaap_LossContingencyPatentsAllegedlyInfringedNumber
/ us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis
= symc_IntellectualVenturesIVvs.SymantecMember
/ us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis
= us-gaap_PendingLitigationMember
4us-gaap_LossContingencyPatentsAllegedlyInfringedNumber
/ us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis
= symc_IntellectualVenturesIVvs.SymantecMember
/ us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis
= us-gaap_PendingLitigationMember
     
Damages sought         299us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue
/ us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis
= symc_IntellectualVenturesIVvs.SymantecMember
/ us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis
= us-gaap_PendingLitigationMember
       
Intellectual Ventures (IV) vs. Symantec | Judicial Ruling                  
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]                  
Number of patents dismissed from case               1us-gaap_LossContingencyPatentsFoundNotInfringedNumber
/ us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis
= symc_IntellectualVenturesIVvs.SymantecMember
/ us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis
= us-gaap_JudicialRulingMember
 
Number of patents found infringed             2us-gaap_LossContingencyPatentsFoundInfringedNumber
/ us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis
= symc_IntellectualVenturesIVvs.SymantecMember
/ us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis
= us-gaap_JudicialRulingMember
   
Damages awarded             17us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesAwardedValue
/ us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis
= symc_IntellectualVenturesIVvs.SymantecMember
/ us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis
= us-gaap_JudicialRulingMember
   
Intellectual Ventures (IV) vs. Symantec, Patent One | Judicial Ruling                  
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]                  
Damages awarded             9us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesAwardedValue
/ us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis
= symc_IntellectualVenturesIVvs.SymantecPatentOneMember
/ us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis
= us-gaap_JudicialRulingMember
   
Intellectual Ventures (IV) vs. Symantec, Patent Two | Judicial Ruling                  
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]                  
Damages awarded             8us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesAwardedValue
/ us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis
= symc_IntellectualVenturesIVvs.SymantecPatentTwoMember
/ us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis
= us-gaap_JudicialRulingMember
   
Subsequent Event | Intellectual Ventures (IV) vs. Symantec, Patent One | Judicial Ruling                  
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]                  
Number of patents found infringed                 1us-gaap_LossContingencyPatentsFoundInfringedNumber
/ us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis
= symc_IntellectualVenturesIVvs.SymantecPatentOneMember
/ us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis
= us-gaap_JudicialRulingMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Number of patents issued in a court order holding noting invalidity                 2symc_LossContingencyPatentsIssuedinCourtOrderHoldingInvalidity
/ us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis
= symc_IntellectualVenturesIVvs.SymantecPatentOneMember
/ us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis
= us-gaap_JudicialRulingMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Damages previously awarded which are dismissed                 $ (9)symc_LossContingencyDamagesPreviouslyAwardedDismissedValue
/ us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis
= symc_IntellectualVenturesIVvs.SymantecPatentOneMember
/ us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis
= us-gaap_JudicialRulingMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember