Non-controlling Interests - Effect of Changes in Ownership Interest in VMware on Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Net income attributable to EMC Corporation	$ 581	$ 487	$ 849	$ 739
Transfers (to) from the non-controlling interests:
Net transfers to non-controlling interest			209	(901)
VMware
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Net income attributable to EMC Corporation			849	739
Transfers (to) from the non-controlling interests:
Increase in EMC Corporation’s additional paid-in-capital for VMware and Pivotal equity issuances			21	29
Decrease in EMC Corporation’s additional paid-in-capital for VMware’s and Pivotal’s other equity activity			(166)	(711)
Net transfers to non-controlling interest			(145)	(682)
Change from net income attributable to EMC Corporation and transfers from the non-controlling interests			$ 704	$ 57