STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended
Jan. 31, 2015
Jan. 31, 2014
Beginning balance $ (334)  
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Available for Sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax, Transferred to Keysight (17)  
Other comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax, transfer to Keysight 332  
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (264)  
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income 1  
Tax (expense) benefit 4  
Other comprehensive income (loss) (259) (55)
Ending balance (261)  
Unrealized gain on investments [Abstract]    
Beginning balance 17  
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 0  
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Sale of Securities, before Tax 0  
Tax (expense) benefit 0 1
Other comprehensive income (loss) 0  
Ending balance 0  
Foreign currency translation [Abstract]    
Beginning balance 156  
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Foreign Currency Translation, Net of tax, Transfer to Keysight (9)  
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (271)  
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income 0  
Tax (expense) benefit 6 5
Other comprehensive income (loss) (265)  
Ending balance (118)  
Prior service credits [Abstract]    
Beginning balance 255  
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Post Retirement Benefit Plans, Net Prior Service Cost (Benefit ), Net of tax, Transfer to Keysight (83)  
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 0  
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (4) (12)
Tax (expense) benefit 2  
Other comprehensive income (loss) (2) (8)
Ending balance 170  
Actuarial Losses [Abstract]    
Beginning balance (771)  
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and other Post Retirement Benefit Plan, Net unrealized (gain) loss, net of tax, transfer to Keysight 444  
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (3)  
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income 9 17
Tax (expense) benefit (2)  
Other comprehensive income (loss) 4 13
Ending balance (323)  
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives [Abstract]    
Beginning balance 9  
Other comprehensive (Income) Loss, Derivatives qualifying as hedges, net of tax, transfer to Keysight (3)  
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 10  
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI on Derivatives, before Tax (4)  
Tax (expense) benefit (2)  
Other comprehensive income (loss) 4  
Ending balance $ 10