Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014 Segment	Oct. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Reportable Segments	3
International Total Net Revenue As A Percentage Of Total	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Financial results by reportable segment
Total net revenue	$ 672	$ 622
Total operating loss from continuing operations	(114)	(77)
Unallocated corporate items:
Share-based compensation expense	(61)	(47)
Amortization of acquired technology	(10)	(6)
Amortization of other acquired intangible assets	(6)	(4)
Operating Segments [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Total operating loss from continuing operations	155	157
Small Business Segment [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Total operating loss from continuing operations	192	190
Small Business Segment [Member] | Small Business Financial Solutions [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Total net revenue	548	520
Consumer Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Product Lines	2
Financial results by reportable segment
Total net revenue	88	77
Total operating loss from continuing operations	(34)	(24)
Consumer Segment [Member] | Consumer Tax [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Total net revenue	57	42
Consumer Segment [Member] | Consumer Ecosystem [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Total net revenue	31	35
Professional Tax Segment [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Total net revenue	36	25
Total operating loss from continuing operations	(3)	(9)
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Unallocated corporate items:
Share-based compensation expense	(61)	(47)
Other common expenses	(192)	(177)
Amortization of acquired technology	(10)	(6)
Amortization of other acquired intangible assets	(6)	(4)
Total unallocated corporate items	$ (269)	$ (234)