Non-controlling Interests - Effect of Changes in Ownership Interest in VMware on Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Net income attributable to EMC Corporation	$ 771	$ 480	$ 487	$ 252	$ 1,147	$ 587	$ 589	$ 392	$ 1,990	$ 2,714	$ 2,889
Increase in EMC Corporation’s additional paid-in-capital for VMware and Pivotal equity issuances									60	87
Decrease in EMC Corporation’s additional paid-in-capital for VMware’s and Pivotal’s other equity activity									(1,000)	(741)
Net transfers (to) from non-controlling interests									(1,168)	(690)	(333)
Change from net income attributable to EMC Corporation and transfers from the non-controlling interests									1,050	2,060
Additional Paid-in Capital
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Net transfers (to) from non-controlling interests									$ (940)	$ (654)	$ (473)