Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 28, 2012 instrument	Jan. 28, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011
Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 18	$ 194	$ 872
Other current assets	1,698	1,810	1,527
Other noncurrent assets	1,076	1,032	980
Other noncurrent liabilities	1,690	1,634	1,596
Number of derivative instruments designated as accounting hedge	1
Company-owned life insurance investments | Fair value measured on recurring basis
Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Company-owned life insurance investments	677	669	648
Interest Rate Swap
Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Number of derivative instruments designated as accounting hedge	1	1
Level 1 | Fair value measured on recurring basis
Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Total	92	263	937
Level 1 | Short-term investments | Fair value measured on recurring basis
Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Cash and cash equivalents	18	194	872
Level 1 | Prepaid forward contracts | Fair value measured on recurring basis
Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Other current assets	74	69	65
Level 2 | Fair value measured on recurring basis
Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Total	491	505	502
Total	70	76	54
Level 2 | Company-owned life insurance investments | Fair value measured on recurring basis
Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Other noncurrent assets	372	371	370
Level 2 | Interest Rate Swap | Fair value measured on recurring basis
Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Other current assets	15	20
Other noncurrent assets	104	114	132
Other current liabilities	5	7
Other noncurrent liabilities	$ 65	$ 69	$ 54