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Restructuring and Acquisition-Related Charges - Additional information (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended 36 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2016
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]          
Restructuring and acquisition-related charges $ 239emc_RestructuringAndAcquisitionRelatedCharges $ 224emc_RestructuringAndAcquisitionRelatedCharges $ 110emc_RestructuringAndAcquisitionRelatedCharges    
Restructuring charges 210us-gaap_RestructuringCharges 139us-gaap_RestructuringCharges 101us-gaap_RestructuringCharges    
Acquisition-related charges 6us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts 8us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts 9us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts    
Lease termination costs for facilities 18us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts 18us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts 21us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts    
Restructuring 2014 Programs          
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]          
Number of positions eliminated 2,100us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostNumberOfPositionsEliminated
/ emc_TypeOfRestructuringProgramAxis
= emc_Restructuring2014ProgramsMember
       
Restructuring 2013 Programs          
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]          
Number of positions eliminated   1,900us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostNumberOfPositionsEliminated
/ emc_TypeOfRestructuringProgramAxis
= emc_Restructuring2013ProgramsMember
     
Restructuring 2012 Programs          
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]          
Number of positions eliminated     1,100us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostNumberOfPositionsEliminated
/ emc_TypeOfRestructuringProgramAxis
= emc_Restructuring2012ProgramsMember
   
VMware          
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]          
Restructuring charges 18us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= emc_VmwareMember
54us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= emc_VmwareMember
     
Acquisition-related charges 7us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= emc_VmwareMember
5us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= emc_VmwareMember
     
Asset Impairment Charges 2us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= emc_VmwareMember
18us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= emc_VmwareMember
     
Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current   44us-gaap_LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= emc_VmwareMember
     
VMware | Restructuring 2014 Programs          
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]          
Restructuring charges 18us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= emc_VmwareMember
/ emc_TypeOfRestructuringProgramAxis
= emc_Restructuring2014ProgramsMember
       
Number of positions eliminated 180us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostNumberOfPositionsEliminated
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= emc_VmwareMember
/ emc_TypeOfRestructuringProgramAxis
= emc_Restructuring2014ProgramsMember
       
VMware | Restructuring 2013 Programs          
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]          
Number of positions eliminated   710us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostNumberOfPositionsEliminated
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= emc_VmwareMember
/ emc_TypeOfRestructuringProgramAxis
= emc_Restructuring2013ProgramsMember
     
Subsequent Event | 2015          
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]          
Remaining cash portion owed for restructuring programs       5us-gaap_EffectOnFutureCashFlowsAmount
/ us-gaap_EffectsOnFutureEarningsAndCashFlowsResultingFromExitPlanAxis
= emc_NextTwelveMonthsMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
 
Subsequent Event | 2016 and beyond          
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]          
Remaining cash portion owed for restructuring programs         $ 2us-gaap_EffectOnFutureCashFlowsAmount
/ us-gaap_EffectsOnFutureEarningsAndCashFlowsResultingFromExitPlanAxis
= emc_YearTwoAndThereafterMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember