Stock-Based Compensation - Stock Option Activity (Details) - $ / shares shares in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
VMware Stock Options
Options Activity, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Outstanding	6	6	10
Granted		2	1
Exercised	(3)	(2)	(5)
Outstanding	3	6	6
Exercisable	2
Vested and expected to vest	3
Options Activity, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]
Outstanding	$ 50.54	$ 44.12	$ 34.36
Granted		50.91	71.53
Exercised	29.44	35.58	28.12
Outstanding	64.56	$ 50.54	$ 44.12
Exercisable	59.31
Vested and expected to vest	$ 63.89
EMC Information Infrastructure Stock Options
Options Activity, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Outstanding	40	57	77
Options granted relating to business acquisitions		8	1
Forfeited		(1)	(1)
Exercised	(13)	(24)	(20)
Outstanding	27	40	57
Exercisable	22
Vested and expected to vest	26
Options Activity, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]
Outstanding	$ 12.68	$ 14.56	$ 14.39
Options granted relating to business acquisitions		0.62	3.29
Forfeited		13.55	13.36
Exercised	11.38	13.19	13.10
Outstanding	13.20	$ 12.68	$ 14.56
Exercisable	15.75
Vested and expected to vest	$ 13.50