Taxes on Earnings (Details 8) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Carryforward
U.S. foreign tax credits	$ 3,200,000,000
U.S. research and development and other credits	653,000,000
Tax credits in state and foreign jurisdictions	408,000,000
Deferred tax assets for various tax credit carryforwards	4,261,000,000	3,884,000,000
Valuation Allowance
U.S. foreign tax credits	47,000,000
Tax credits in state and foreign jurisdictions	239,000,000
Balance at end of year	286,000,000
Valuation allowance balance
Balance at beginning of year	10,223,000,000	9,100,000,000
Balance at end of year	11,390,000,000	10,223,000,000
Increase in valuation allowances	1,200,000,000	1,100,000,000
Increase in valuation allowances on certain U.S. deferred tax assets related to legal entities within the enterprise services business		1,300,000,000
Increase in valuation allowances on other U.S. deferred tax assets		317,000,000
Increase in valuation allowances on foreign deferred tax assets		669,000,000
Decrease in foreign valuation allowance attributable to foreign currency translation		1,100,000,000
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance
Valuation allowance balance
Balance at beginning of year	10,223,000,000	9,057,000,000	8,755,000,000
Charged to expenses	1,644,000,000	865,000,000	315,000,000
Other comprehensive income, currency translation and other	(477,000,000)	301,000,000	(13,000,000)
Balance at end of year	$ 11,390,000,000	$ 10,223,000,000	$ 9,057,000,000