Non-controlling Interests - Effect of Changes in Ownership Interest in VMware on Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Net income attributable to EMC Corporation	$ 480	$ 587	$ 1,219	$ 1,568
Transfers (to) from the non-controlling interests in VMware, Inc.:
Net transfers (to) from non-controlling interest			(1,061)	(402)
VMware
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Net income attributable to EMC Corporation			1,219	1,568
Transfers (to) from the non-controlling interests in VMware, Inc.:
Increase in EMC Corporation’s additional paid-in-capital for VMware’s equity issuances			60	84
Decrease in EMC Corporation’s additional paid-in-capital for VMware’s other equity activity			(886)	(510)
Net transfers (to) from non-controlling interest			(826)	(426)
Change from net income attributable to EMC Corporation and transfers from the non-controlling interest in VMware, Inc.			$ 393	$ 1,142