Vmware (VMW) 10-Q 4 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 28, 2015
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	VMWARE, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	1124610
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Class A Common Stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		123,862,844
Class B Convertible Common Stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		300,000,000

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Revenues:
License	$576		$561
Services	935		799
Total revenues	1,511		1,360
Operating expenses (1):
Cost of license revenues	50	[1]	50	[1]
Cost of services revenues	193	[1]	151	[1]
Research and development	305	[1]	293	[1]
Sales and marketing	536	[1]	474	[1]
General and administrative	187	[1]	151	[1]
Realignment charges	22	[1]	0	[1]
Operating income	218		241
Investment income	12		9
Interest expense with EMC	-6		-5
Other expense	-2		0
Income before income taxes	222		245
Income tax provision	26		46
Net income	196		199
Net income per weighted-average share, basic for Class A and Class B	$0.46		$0.46
Net income per weighted-average share, diluted for Class A and Class B	$0.45		$0.46
Weighted-average shares, basic for Class A and Class B	427,962		430,546
Weighted-average shares, diluted for Class A and Class B	430,496		434,729
Cost of license revenues
Operating expenses (1):
Stock-based compensation	1		1
Cost of services revenues
Operating expenses (1):
Stock-based compensation	11		9
Research and development
Operating expenses (1):
Stock-based compensation	54		60
Sales and marketing
Operating expenses (1):
Stock-based compensation	39		41
General and administrative
Operating expenses (1):
Stock-based compensation	$14		$17
[1]	Includes stock-based compensation as follows: Cost of license revenues $1 $1, Cost of services revenues $11 $9, Research and development $54 $60, Sales and marketing $39 $41, General and administrative $14 $17, Realignment charges $0 $0.

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$196	$199
Changes in market value of available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized gains, net of taxes of $4 and $1	6	1
Changes in market value of effective foreign currency forward exchange contracts:
Unrealized losses, net of $0 taxes for all periods	-5	0
Total other comprehensive income	1	1
Total comprehensive income, net of taxes	$197	$200

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (Parentheticals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Tax effect on unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities	$4	$1
Tax effect on unrealized losses on effective foreign currency forward exchange contracts	$0	$0

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$1,941	$2,071
Short-term investments	5,285	5,004
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2 and $2	988	1,520
Due from related parties, net	2	49
Deferred tax assets	250	248
Other current assets	239	238
Total current assets	8,705	9,130
Property and equipment, net	1,059	1,035
Other assets	168	174
Deferred tax assets	175	165
Intangible assets, net	719	748
Goodwill	3,981	3,964
Total assets	14,807	15,216
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Accounts payable	124	203
Accrued expenses and other	680	811
Unearned revenues	2,970	2,982
Total current liabilities	3,774	3,996
Notes payable to EMC	1,500	1,500
Unearned revenues	1,774	1,851
Other liabilities	275	283
Total liabilities	7,323	7,630
Contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Additional paid-in capital	3,082	3,380
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	0	-1
Retained earnings	4,394	4,198
Total VMware, Inc.’s stockholders’ equity	7,480	7,581
Non-controlling interests	4	5
Total stockholders’ equity	7,484	7,586
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	14,807	15,216
Class A Common Stock
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	1	1
Class B Convertible Common Stock
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	$3	$3

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$2	$2
Class A Common Stock
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (shares)	2,500,000,000	2,500,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (shares)	125,556,000	129,359,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (shares)	125,556,000	129,359,000
Class B Convertible Common Stock
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (shares)	1,000,000,000	1,000,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (shares)	300,000,000	300,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (shares)	300,000,000	300,000,000

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Operating activities:
Net income	$196	$199
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	76	83
Stock-based compensation	119	128
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	-2	-15
Deferred income taxes, net	-15	-29
Other	0	1
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	531	418
Other assets	0	-29
Due to/from related parties, net	52	33
Accounts payable	-49	-11
Accrued expenses	-102	-104
Income taxes payable	-32	41
Unearned revenues	-91	35
Net cash provided by operating activities	683	750
Investing activities:
Additions to property and equipment	-106	-77
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	-1,027	-531
Sales of available-for-sale securities	501	411
Maturities of available-for-sale securities	255	153
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-21	-1,068
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash	-1	76
Other investing	0	-10
Net cash used in investing activities	-397	-1,198
Financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	54	88
Proceeds from issuance of notes payable to EMC	0	1,050
Reduction in capital from EMC	0	-24
Repurchase of common stock	-438	-169
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	2	15
Shares repurchased for tax withholdings on vesting of restricted stock	-34	-29
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-416	931
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-130	483
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	2,071	2,305
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	1,941	2,788
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	7	6
Cash paid for taxes, net	74	33
Non-cash items:
Changes in capital additions, accrued but not paid	-42	-7
Fair value of stock-based awards assumed in acquisition	$0	$24

Overview_and_Basis_of_Presenta

Overview and Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Overview and Basis of Presentation	Overview and Basis of Presentation
	Company and Background
	VMware, Inc. (“VMware” or the “Company”) is the leader in virtualization infrastructure solutions utilized by organizations to help them transform the way they build, deliver and consume information technology (“IT”) resources. VMware’s virtualization infrastructure solutions, which include a suite of products and services designed to deliver a software-defined data center, run on industry-standard desktop computers and servers and support a wide range of operating system and application environments, as well as networking and storage infrastructures.
	Accounting Principles
	The financial statements and accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).
	Unaudited Interim Financial Information
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for interim financial reporting.  In the opinion of management, these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments and accruals, for a fair statement of VMware’s condensed consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the periods presented. Results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year 2015. Certain information and footnote disclosures typically included in annual consolidated financial statements have been condensed or omitted. Accordingly, these unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in VMware’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
	As of March 31, 2015, EMC Corporation (“EMC”) held approximately 80.6% of VMware’s outstanding common stock and 97.4% of the combined voting power of VMware’s outstanding common stock, including 43 million shares of VMware’s Class A common stock and all of VMware’s Class B common stock. VMware is a majority-owned and controlled subsidiary of EMC, and its results of operations and financial position are consolidated with EMC’s financial statements.
	Management believes the assumptions underlying the condensed consolidated financial statements are reasonable. However, the amounts recorded for VMware’s intercompany transactions with EMC may not be considered arm’s length with an unrelated third party. Therefore, the financial statements included herein may not necessarily reflect the financial position, results of operations and cash flows had VMware engaged in such transactions with an unrelated third party during all periods presented. Accordingly, VMware’s historical financial information is not necessarily indicative of what the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows will be in the future if and when VMware contracts at arm’s length with unrelated third parties for the services the Company receives from and provides to EMC.
	Principles of Consolidation
	The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of VMware and subsidiaries in which VMware has a controlling financial interest. Non-controlling interests are presented as a separate component within total stockholders’ equity and represent the equity and cumulative pro-rata share of the results of operations attributable to the non-controlling interests. Net earnings attributable to the non-controlling interests are eliminated within other expense on the condensed consolidated statements of income and are not presented separately as the amounts were not material for the periods presented. All intercompany transactions and account balances between VMware and its subsidiaries have been eliminated in consolidation. Transactions with EMC and its subsidiaries are generally settled in cash and are classified on the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows based upon the nature of the underlying transaction.
	Reclassification
	Certain prior period amounts related to the notes payable to EMC have been reclassified within the financing activities section of the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. The reclassifications had no effect on total cash flows used in or provided by operating, investing or financing activities as previously reported.
	Use of Accounting Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods, and the disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements. Estimates are used for, but not limited to trade receivable valuation, marketing development funds and rebates, useful lives assigned to fixed assets and intangible assets, valuation of goodwill and definite-lived intangibles, income taxes, stock-based compensation, and contingencies. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	New Accounting Pronouncement
	During May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The updated revenue standard establishes principles for recognizing revenue and develops a common revenue standard for all industries. Upon adoption, entities will be required to recognize the amount of revenue that they expect to be entitled to for the transfer of promised goods or services to their customers. The updated standard is effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2017 and permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. Early adoption is not permitted. In April 2015, the FASB proposed a one-year delay in the effective date of the new standard to 2018. Under this proposal, early adoption will be allowed, but not earlier than the original effective date.
	The Company has not selected a transition method and is currently evaluating the effect that the updated standard will have on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Business_Combinations_Definite

Business Combinations, Definite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net and Goodwill	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Combinations, Definite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net and Goodwill	Business Combination, Definite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net and Goodwill
	Business Combination
	On February 2, 2015, VMware acquired all of the outstanding shares of Immidio B.V. (“Immidio”) for approximately $21 million of cash, net of liabilities assumed. VMware acquired Immidio to expand VMware's Workspace Environment Management solutions within the End-User Computing product group. The preliminary purchase price primarily included $8 million of identifiable intangible assets and approximately $17 million of goodwill that is expected to be non-deductible for tax purposes. The impact of the acquisition was not material to VMware's condensed consolidated financial statements.
	Definite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net
	As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, definite-lived intangible assets consisted of the following (amounts in table in millions):
		31-Mar-15
		Weighted-Average		Gross Carrying		Accumulated			Net Book
		Useful Lives		Amount		Amortization			Value
		(in years)
	Purchased technology	6.5		$	705	$	(279	)	$	426
	Leasehold interest	34.9		149		(16		)	133
	Customer relationships and customer lists	8.2		157		(58		)	99
	Trademarks and tradenames	8.6		61		(11		)	50
	Other	2.1		20		(9		)	11
	Total definite-lived intangible assets			$	1,092	$	(373	)	$	719
		31-Dec-14
		Weighted-Average		Gross Carrying		Accumulated			Net Book
		Useful Lives		Amount		Amortization			Value
		(in years)
	Purchased technology	6.5		$	699	$	(252	)	$	447
	Leasehold interest	34.9		149		(15		)	134
	Customer relationships and customer lists	8.2		157		(53		)	104
	Trademarks and tradenames	8.6		61		(9		)	52
	Other	2.7		18		(7		)	11
	Total definite-lived intangible assets			$	1,084	$	(336	)	$	748
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, amortization expense on definite-lived intangible assets was $37 million and $30 million, respectively.
	Based on intangible assets recorded as of March 31, 2015 and assuming no subsequent additions or impairment of underlying assets, the remaining estimated annual amortization expense is expected to be as follows (table in millions):
	Remainder of 2015	$	109
	2016	128
	2017	121
	2018	108
	2019	87
	Thereafter	166
	Total	$	719
	Goodwill
	The following table summarizes the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the three months ended March 31, 2015 (table in millions):
	Balance, January 1, 2015	$	3,964
	Increase in goodwill related to business combination	17
	Balance, March 31, 2015	$	3,981

Realignment_Charges

Realignment Charges	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Realignment Charges	Realignment Charges
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, VMware eliminated approximately 350 positions across all major functional groups and geographies to streamline its operations. As a result of this action, $22 million of realignment charges were recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2015, which consisted of severance-related costs. As of March 31, 2015, $16 million remained in accrued expenses and other on the condensed consolidated balance sheets and is expected to be paid during 2015.
	The following table summarizes the activity for the accrued realignment charges for the three months ended March 31, 2015 (table in millions):
		For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
		Balance as of		Realignment		Utilization			Balance as of
		1-Jan-15		Charges					31-Mar-15
	Severance-related costs	$	8	$	22	$	(14	)	$	16
	No realignment charges were recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2014.

Net_Income_per_Share

Net Income per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Income per Share	Net Income per Share
	Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding and potentially dilutive securities outstanding during the period, as calculated using the treasury stock method. Potentially dilutive securities primarily include unvested restricted stock units, performance stock units, stock options and purchase options under VMware’s employee stock purchase plan. Securities are excluded from the computations of diluted net income per share if their effect would be anti-dilutive. VMware uses the two-class method to calculate net income per share as both classes share the same rights in dividends, therefore basic and diluted earnings per share are the same for both classes.
	The following table sets forth the computations of basic and diluted net income per share during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (net income in millions, shares in thousands):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
	Net income	$	196		$	199
	Weighted-average shares, basic for Class A and Class B	427,962			430,546
	Effect of dilutive securities	2,534			4,183
	Weighted-average shares, diluted for Class A and Class B	430,496			434,729
	Net income per weighted-average share, basic for Class A and Class B	$	0.46		$	0.46
	Net income per weighted-average share, diluted for Class A and Class B	$	0.45		$	0.46
	The following table sets forth the weighted-average common share equivalents of Class A common stock that were excluded from the diluted net income per share calculations during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, because their effect would have been anti-dilutive (shares in thousands):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015		2014
	Anti-dilutive securities:
	Employee stock options	2,503		930
	Restricted stock units	223		35
	Total	2,726		965

Cash_Cash_Equivalents_and_Inve

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Cash, cash equivalents and investments	Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments
	Cash, cash equivalents and investments as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consisted of the following (tables in millions):
		March 31, 2015
		Cost or Amortized Cost		Unrealized Gains			Unrealized Losses			Aggregate
										Fair Value
	Cash	$	827	$	—		$	—		$	827
	Cash equivalents:
	Money-market funds	$	1,082	$	—		$	—		$	1,082
	U.S. and foreign corporate debt securities	32		—			—			32
	Total cash equivalents	$	1,114	$	—		$	—		$	1,114
	Short-term investments:
	U.S. Government and agency obligations	$	665	$	2		$	—		$	667
	U.S. and foreign corporate debt securities	3,322		8			(2		)	3,328
	Foreign governments and multi-national agency obligations	28		—			—			28
	Municipal obligations	908		2			—			910
	Asset-backed securities	87		—			—			87
	Mortgage-backed securities	265		—			—			265
	Total short-term investments	$	5,275	$	12		$	(2	)	$	5,285
	Other assets:
	Marketable available-for-sale equity securities	$	15	$	—		$	(1	)	$	14
		December 31, 2014
		Cost or Amortized Cost		Unrealized Gains			Unrealized Losses			Aggregate
										Fair Value
	Cash	$	885	$	—		$	—		$	885
	Cash equivalents:
	Money-market funds	$	1,130	$	—		$	—		$	1,130
	U.S. and foreign corporate debt securities	54		—			—			54
	Foreign governments and multi-national agency obligations	2		—			—			2
	Total cash equivalents	$	1,186	$	—		$	—		$	1,186
	Short-term investments:
	U.S. Government and agency obligations	$	542	$	—		$	—		$	542
	U.S. and foreign corporate debt securities	3,236		3			(5		)	3,234
	Foreign governments and multi-national agency obligations	23		—			—			23
	Municipal obligations	930		2			—			932
	Asset-backed securities	53		—			—			53
	Mortgage-backed securities	221		—			(1		)	220
	Total short-term investments	$	5,005	$	5		$	(6	)	$	5,004
	Refer to Note F for further information regarding the fair value of VMware’s cash equivalents and investments.
	The realized gains and losses on investments during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were not material.
	Unrealized losses on cash equivalents and investments as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, which have been in a net loss position for less than twelve months, were classified by investment category as follows (table in millions):
		March 31, 2015					December 31, 2014
		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value			Unrealized Losses
	U.S. and foreign corporate debt securities	$	1,041	$	(2	)	$	1,964		$	(5	)
	Mortgage-backed securities	93		—			107			(1		)
	Marketable available-for-sale equity securities	14		(1		)	—			—
	Total	$	1,148	$	(3	)	$	2,071		$	(6	)
	As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, unrealized losses on cash equivalents and investments in other investment categories, which have been in a net loss position for less than twelve months, were not material. Unrealized losses on cash equivalents and available-for-sale investments, which have been in a net loss position for twelve months or greater, were not material as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
	Contractual Maturities
	The contractual maturities of cash equivalents and short-term investments held at March 31, 2015 consisted of the following (table in millions):
		Amortized		Aggregate
		Cost Basis		Fair Value
	Due within one year	$	2,632	$	2,633
	Due after 1 year through 5 years	3,470		3,479
	Due after 5 years	287		287
	Total cash equivalents and short-term investments	$	6,389	$	6,399

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	Fair Value Measurements
	Assets and Liabilities Measured and Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
	Certain financial assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. VMware determines fair value using the following hierarchy:
	•	Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
	•	Level 2 - Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are noted active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities
	•	Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities
	VMware’s fixed income securities are primarily classified as Level 2, with the exception of some of the U.S. Government and agency obligations which are classified as Level 1. Additionally, VMware’s Level 2 classification includes foreign currency forward contracts and notes payable to EMC. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, VMware’s Level 2 securities were generally priced using non-binding market consensus prices that are corroborated by observable market data, quoted market prices for similar instruments, or pricing models such as discounted cash flow techniques.
	VMware does not have any material assets or liabilities that fall into Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, and there have been no transfers between fair value measurement levels during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
	The following tables set forth the fair value hierarchy of VMware’s money-market funds, available-for-sale securities, and foreign currency forward contracts, that were required to be measured at fair value as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (tables in millions):
		March 31, 2015
		Level 1		Level 2			Total
	Cash equivalents:
	Money-market funds	$	1,082	$	—		$	1,082
	U.S. and foreign corporate debt securities	—		32			32
	Total cash equivalents	$	1,082	$	32		$	1,114
	Short-term investments:
	U.S. Government and agency obligations	$	436	$	231		$	667
	U.S. and foreign corporate debt securities	—		3,328			3,328
	Foreign governments and multi-national agency obligations	—		28			28
	Municipal obligations	—		910			910
	Asset-backed securities	—		87			87
	Mortgage-backed securities	—		265			265
	Total short-term investments	$	436	$	4,849		$	5,285
	Other current assets:
	Foreign currency forward contracts	$	—	$	1		$	1
	Other assets:
	Marketable available-for-sale equity securities	$	14	$	—		$	14
	Accrued expenses and other:
	Foreign currency forward contracts	$	—	$	(7	)	$	(7	)
		December 31, 2014
		Level 1		Level 2			Total
	Cash equivalents:
	Money-market funds	$	1,130	$	—		$	1,130
	U.S. and foreign corporate debt securities	—		54			54
	Foreign governments and multi-national agency obligations	—		2			2
	Total cash equivalents	$	1,130	$	56		$	1,186
	Short-term investments:
	U.S. Government and agency obligations	$	353	$	189		$	542
	U.S. and foreign corporate debt securities	—		3,234			3,234
	Foreign governments and multi-national agency obligations	—		23			23
	Municipal obligations	—		932			932
	Asset-backed securities	—		53			53
	Mortgage-backed securities	—		220			220
	Total short-term investments	$	353	$	4,651		$	5,004
	Other current assets:
	Foreign currency forward contracts	$	—	$	1		$	1
	Accrued expenses and other:
	Foreign currency forward contracts	$	—	$	(1	)	$	(1	)
	VMware has elected not to record its notes payable to EMC at fair value, but has measured the notes at fair value for disclosure purposes. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the fair value of the notes payable to EMC was $1,519 million and $1,503 million, respectively. Fair value was estimated based on observable market data (Level 2 inputs).
	VMware offers a deferred compensation plan for eligible employees that allows participants to defer payment for part or all of their compensation. VMware’s results of operations are not significantly affected by this plan since changes in the fair value of the assets substantially offset changes in the fair value of the liabilities. As such, assets and liabilities associated with this plan have not been included in the above tables. Assets and liabilities associated with this plan were both approximately $13 million and $8 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, and are included in other assets and other liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	Assets Measured and Recorded at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis
	VMware evaluated the strategic investments in its portfolio accounted for under the cost method to assess whether any of its strategic investments were other-than-temporarily impaired. VMware uses Level 3 inputs as part of its impairment analysis, including, pre- and post-money valuations of recent financing events and the impact of those on its fully diluted ownership percentages, as well as other available information regarding the issuer’s historical and forecasted performance. The estimated fair value of these investments is considered in VMware’s impairment review if any events or changes in circumstances occur that might have a significant adverse effect on their value. During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, VMware did not recognize an other-than-temporary impairment charge for a non-recoverable strategic investment.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, VMware did not have material realized gains or realized losses on strategic investments. Strategic investments are included in other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The carrying value of VMware’s strategic investments was $94 million and $110 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi

Derivatives and Hedging Activities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivatives and Hedging Activities	Derivatives and Hedging Activities
	VMware conducts business on a global basis in multiple foreign currencies, subjecting the Company to foreign currency risk. To mitigate this risk, VMware utilizes hedging contracts as described below, which potentially expose the Company to credit risk to the extent that the counterparties may be unable to meet the terms of the agreement. VMware manages counterparty risk by seeking counterparties of high credit quality, by monitoring credit ratings and credit spreads of, and other relevant public information about its counterparties. VMware does not, and does not intend to, use derivative instruments for speculative purposes.
	Cash Flow Hedges
	To mitigate its exposure to foreign currency fluctuations resulting from operating expenses denominated in certain foreign currencies, VMware enters into foreign currency forward contracts. The Company designates these forward contracts as cash flow hedging instruments as the accounting criteria for such designation have been met. Therefore, the effective portion of gains or losses resulting from changes in the fair value of these hedges is initially reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss on the condensed consolidated balance sheets and is subsequently reclassified to the related operating expense line item on the condensed consolidated statements of income in the same period that the underlying expenses are incurred. During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the effective portion of gains or losses reclassified to the condensed consolidated statements of income was not material. Interest charges or “forward points” on VMware’s forward contracts are excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness and are recorded in other expense on the condensed consolidated statements of income as incurred.
	VMware enters into forward contracts annually, which have maturities of 12 months or less. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, VMware had foreign currency forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges with a total notional value of $178 million and $240 million, respectively. The notional value represents the gross amount of foreign currency that will be bought or sold upon maturity of the forward contract.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, all cash flow hedges were considered effective.
	Foreign Currency Forward Contracts Not Designated as Hedges
	VMware has established a program that utilizes foreign currency forward contracts to offset the foreign currency risk associated with net outstanding monetary asset and liability positions. These forward contracts are not designated as hedging instruments under applicable accounting guidance, and therefore all changes in the fair value of the forward contracts are reported in other expense on the condensed consolidated statements of income.
	VMware enters into foreign currency forward contracts on a monthly basis, which typically have a contractual term of one month. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, VMware had outstanding forward contracts with a total notional value of $489 million and $697 million, respectively. The notional value represents the gross amount of foreign currency that will be bought or sold upon maturity of the forward contract.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, VMware recognized a gain of $40 million relating to the settlement of foreign currency forward contracts. Losses derived from the settlement of foreign currency forward contracts during the three months ended March 31, 2014 were immaterial.
	The combined gains and losses derived from the settlement of foreign currency forward contracts and the underlying foreign-currency denominated assets and liabilities resulted in a net loss of $6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015. The combined gains and losses derived from the settlement of foreign currency forward contracts and the underlying foreign-currency denominated assets and liabilities were immaterial during the three months ended March 31, 2014. Net gains and losses are recorded in other expense on the condensed consolidated statements of income.

Unearned_Revenues

Unearned Revenues	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Deferred Revenue Disclosure [Abstract]
Unearned Revenues	Unearned Revenues
	Unearned revenues as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consisted of the following (table in millions):
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
	Unearned license revenues	$	466	$	488
	Unearned software maintenance revenues	3,847		3,905
	Unearned professional services revenues	431		440
	Total unearned revenues	$	4,744	$	4,833
	Unearned license revenues are generally recognized upon delivery of existing or future products or services, or are otherwise recognized ratably over the term of the arrangement. Future products include, in some cases, emerging products that are offered as part of product promotions where the purchaser of an existing product is entitled to receive the future product at no additional charge. To the extent the future product has not been delivered and vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) of fair value cannot be established, the revenue for the entire order is deferred until such time as all product delivery obligations have been fulfilled. In the event the arrangement does not include professional services, unearned license revenues may also be recognized ratably, if the customer is granted the right to receive unspecified future products or VSOE of fair value on the software maintenance element of the arrangement does not exist. Total unearned license revenues may vary over periods for a variety of factors, including the type and level of promotions offered, and the timing of when the products are delivered upon general availability.
	Unearned software maintenance revenues are attributable to VMware’s maintenance contracts and are generally recognized ratably over the contract period. The weighted-average remaining term at March 31, 2015 was approximately 1.9 years. Unearned professional services revenues result primarily from prepaid professional services, including training, and are generally recognized as the services are delivered.

Contingencies

Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Contingencies	Contingencies
	Litigation
	VMware and the U.S. General Services Administration (“GSA”) and the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) are in ongoing discussions regarding VMware’s government sales practices covering the period between 2007 and 2013. The Company believes that its government sales practice disclosures were both accurate and complete. Notwithstanding this belief, possible resolution of this matter has been part of the ongoing discussions with the government. Based on these discussions, the Company currently believes that a reasonably possible range to resolve this matter is $11 million to $78 million. A total of $11 million has been accrued for this matter and reflects the low end of the range of estimated losses that are considered both probable and reasonably estimable. Final resolution of this matter could be materially different from the amount accrued. The amount accrued for this matter is included in accrued expenses and other on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	On March 4, 2015, Christoph Hellwig, a software developer who alleges that software code he wrote is used in a component of our vSphere product, filed a lawsuit against us in Germany alleging copyright infringement for failing to comply with the terms of an open source General Public License v.2 (“GPL v.2”), and seeking an order requiring us to comply with the GPL v.2 or cease distribution of any affected code within Germany. VMware believes that it has meritorious defenses in connection with this lawsuit, and currently a reasonably possible loss or range of loss cannot be estimated.
	On March 27, 2015, Phoenix Technologies (“Phoenix”) filed a complaint against VMware in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California asserting claims for copyright infringement and breach of contract relating to a version of Phoenix’s BIOS software that VMware licensed from Phoenix. In the lawsuit, Phoenix is seeking injunctive relief and monetary damages. VMware believes that it has meritorious defenses in connection with this lawsuit, and currently a reasonably possible loss or range of loss cannot be estimated.
	VMware accrues for a liability at the low end of the range of estimated losses when a determination has been made that a loss is both probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Significant judgment is required in both the determination that the occurrence of a loss is probable and is reasonably estimable. In making such judgments, VMware considers the impact of negotiations, settlements, rulings, advice of legal counsel and other information and events pertaining to a particular matter. Legal costs are generally recognized as expense when incurred.
	VMware believes that it has valid defenses against each of the legal matters disclosed. However, given the unpredictable nature of legal proceedings, an unfavorable resolution of one or more legal proceedings, claims, or investigations could have a material adverse effect on VMware’s condensed consolidated financial statements.
	VMware is also subject to other legal, administrative and regulatory proceedings, claims, demands and investigations in the ordinary course of business, including claims with respect to commercial, product liability, intellectual property, employment, class action, whistleblower and other matters. From time to time, VMware also receives inquiries from and has discussions with government entities on various matters. VMware does not believe that any liability from any reasonably foreseeable disposition of such claims and litigation, individually or in the aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	Stockholders’ Equity
	VMware Stock Repurchases
	On January 27, 2015, VMware’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to an additional one billion dollars of VMware’s Class A common stock through the end of 2017. Stock will be purchased from time to time, in the open market or through private transactions, subject to market conditions. The new stock repurchase authorization is in addition to VMware’s ongoing one-billion-dollar stock repurchase program, originally announced on August 6, 2014. The timing of any repurchases and the actual number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors, including VMware’s stock price, cash requirements for operations and business combinations, corporate and regulatory requirements and other market and economic conditions. VMware is not obligated to purchase any shares under its stock repurchase programs. Purchases can be discontinued at any time VMware believes additional purchases are not warranted. All shares repurchased under VMware’s stock repurchase programs are retired.
	The following table summarizes stock repurchase authorizations that remain open as of March 31, 2015 (amounts in table in millions):
	Authorization Date		Amount Authorized	Expiration Date		Status
	27-Jan-15		$1,000	31-Dec-17		Open
	6-Aug-14		$1,000	31-Dec-16		Open
	As of March 31, 2015, the cumulative authorized amount remaining for repurchase was $1,521 million.
	The following table summarizes stock repurchase activity during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (aggregate purchase price in millions, shares in thousands):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
	Aggregate purchase price	$	438		$	169
	Class A common shares repurchased	5,366			1,767
	Weighted-average price per share	$	81.65		$	95.56
	The aggregate purchase price of repurchased shares includes commissions and is classified as a reduction to additional paid-in capital.
	VMware Stock Options
	The following table summarizes stock option activity since January 1, 2015 (shares in thousands):
		Number of		Weighted-
		Shares		Average
				Exercise Price
				(per share)
	Outstanding, January 1, 2015	5,869		$	50.54
	Granted	13		84.68
	Forfeited	(82	)	75.58
	Exercised	(273	)	23.12
	Outstanding, March 31, 2015	5,527		51.63
	The stock options outstanding as of March 31, 2015 had an aggregate intrinsic value of $185 million based on VMware’s closing price as of March 31, 2015.
	VMware Restricted Stock
	VMware's restricted stock primarily consists of restricted stock unit (“RSU”) awards granted to employees. RSUs are valued based on VMware's stock price on the date of grant. The shares underlying the RSU awards are not issued until the RSUs vest. Upon vesting, each RSU converts into one share of VMware Class A common stock.
	VMware's restricted stock also includes performance stock unit (“PSU”) awards, which have been granted to certain of VMware’s executives and employees. The PSU awards include performance conditions and, in certain cases, a time-based vesting component. Upon vesting, each PSU award will convert into VMware’s Class A common stock at various ratios ranging from 0.5 to 2.0 shares per PSU, depending upon the degree of achievement of the performance target designated by each individual award. If minimum performance thresholds are not achieved, then no shares will be issued. As of March 31, 2015, the number of PSUs outstanding includes certain PSUs for which performance conditions have concluded but that remain subject to certain service conditions.
	The following table summarizes restricted stock activity since January 1, 2015 (units in thousands):
		Number of Units		Weighted-
				Average Grant
				Date Fair
				Value
				(per unit)
	Outstanding, January 1, 2015	12,585		$	88.88
	Granted	1,132		82.54
	Vested	(939	)	81.85
	Forfeited	(539	)	88.06
	Outstanding, March 31, 2015	12,239		87.87
	As of March 31, 2015, the 12.2 million units outstanding included 11.7 million of RSUs and restricted stock, and 0.5 million of PSUs. The above table includes RSUs issued for outstanding unvested RSUs in connection with business combinations.
	The total fair value of VMware RSUs, restricted stock, and PSUs that vested during the three months ended March 31, 2015 was $77 million. As of March 31, 2015, restricted stock representing 12.2 million shares of VMware’s Class A common stock were outstanding, with an aggregate intrinsic value of $1,004 million based on VMware’s closing price as of March 31, 2015.
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	The changes in components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows (tables in millions):
		Unrealized Gain on			Unrealized Loss on			Total
		Available-for-Sale Securities			Cash Flow Hedges
	Balance, January 1, 2015	$	—		$	(1	)	$	(1	)
	Unrealized gain (loss), net of taxes of $4, $0, and $4	6			(5		)	1
	Balance, March 31, 2015	$	6		$	(6	)	$	—
		Unrealized Gain on			Total
		Available-for-Sale Securities
	Balance, January 1, 2014	$	4		$	4
	Unrealized gain, net of taxes of $1 and $1	1			1
	Balance, March 31, 2014	$	5		$	5
	Gains on VMware’s available-for-sale securities are reclassified to investment income on the condensed consolidated statements of income in the period that such gains are realized.
	The effective portion of gains (losses) resulting from changes in the fair value of forward contracts designated as cash flow hedging instruments are reclassified to its related operating expense line item on the condensed consolidated statements of income in the same period that the underlying expenses are incurred. The amounts recorded to their related operating expense line items on the condensed consolidated statements of income during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, were not material.

Related_Parties

Related Parties	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Parties	Related Parties
	The information provided below includes a summary of the transactions entered into with EMC and EMC’s consolidated subsidiaries (collectively “EMC”). EMC acquired VCE Company LLC (“VCE”) during the fourth quarter of 2014. Transactions with VCE from the date EMC acquired the controlling interest in VCE have been included in the tables below.
	Transactions with EMC
	VMware and EMC engaged in the following ongoing intercompany transactions, which resulted in revenues and receipts and unearned revenues for VMware:
	•	Pursuant to an ongoing reseller arrangement with EMC, EMC bundles VMware’s products and services with EMC’s products and sells them to end users.
	•	EMC purchases products and services from VMware for internal use.
	•	VMware provides professional services to end users based upon contractual agreements with EMC.
	•	From time to time, VMware and EMC enter into agreements to collaborate on technology projects, and EMC pays VMware for services that VMware provides to EMC in connection with such projects.
	•	Pursuant to an ongoing distribution agreement, VMware acts as the selling agent for certain products and services in exchange for an agency fee.
	•	VMware provides various transition services to Pivotal Software, Inc. (“Pivotal”), a subsidiary of EMC. Support costs incurred by VMware are reimbursed to VMware and are recorded as a reduction to the costs incurred by VMware.
	Information about VMware’s revenues and receipts from such arrangements with EMC during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 and unearned revenues as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consisted of the following (table in millions):
		Revenues and Receipts from						Unearned Revenues from
		EMC						EMC
		Three Months Ended March 31,						As of		As of December 31,
								March 31,
		2015			2014			2015		2014
	Reseller revenues	$	61		$	46		$	272	$	290
	Internal-use revenues	3			7			16		18
	Professional services revenues	23			23			3		9
	Collaborative technology project receipts	—			—			n/a		n/a
	Agency fee revenues	1			2			—		—
	Reimbursement for transition services	1			2			n/a		n/a
	VMware and EMC engaged in the following ongoing intercompany transactions, which resulted in costs to VMware:
	•	VMware purchases and leases products and purchases services for internal use from EMC.
	•	From time to time, VMware and EMC enter into agreements to collaborate on technology projects, and VMware pays EMC for services provided to VMware by EMC related to such projects.
	•	In certain geographic regions where VMware does not have an established legal entity, VMware contracts with EMC subsidiaries for support services and EMC personnel who are managed by VMware. The costs incurred by EMC on VMware’s behalf related to these employees are charged to VMware with a mark-up intended to approximate costs that would have been incurred had VMware contracted for such services with an unrelated third party. These costs are included as expenses on VMware’s condensed consolidated statements of income and primarily include salaries, benefits, travel and rent expenses. EMC also incurs certain administrative costs on VMware’s behalf in the U.S. that are recorded as expenses on VMware’s condensed consolidated statements of income.
	Information about VMware’s costs from such arrangements with EMC for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 consisted of the following (table in millions):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
	Purchases and leases of products and purchases of services	$	19		$	21
	Collaborative technology project costs	1			3
	EMC subsidiary support and administrative costs	28			41
	Certain Stock-Based Compensation
	Effective September 1, 2012, Pat Gelsinger was appointed Chief Executive Officer of VMware. Prior to joining VMware, Mr. Gelsinger was the President and Chief Operating Officer of EMC Information Infrastructure Products. Mr. Gelsinger retains certain of his EMC equity awards that were held as of September 1, 2012 and he continues to vest in such awards. Stock-based compensation related to Mr. Gelsinger’s EMC awards are being recognized on VMware’s condensed consolidated statements of income over the awards’ remaining requisite service periods.
	Tax Sharing Agreement with EMC
	Pursuant to a tax sharing agreement between VMware and EMC, payments are made between VMware and EMC related to VMware's portion of federal income taxes on EMC's consolidated tax return as well as income taxes for states in which combined state income tax returns are filed. The following table summarizes these payments made between VMware and EMC during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (table in millions):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
	Payments from VMware to EMC	$	49		$	20
	Payments made by VMware to EMC result from VMware having a tax liability. The amount that VMware pays to EMC for its portion of federal income taxes on EMC’s consolidated tax return differs from the amount VMware would owe on a separate return basis, and the difference is presented as a component of stockholders’ equity. During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the difference between the amount of tax calculated on a stand-alone basis and the amount of tax calculated per the tax sharing agreement was not material.
	Due To/From Related Parties, Net
	As a result of the related-party transactions with EMC described above, amounts due to and from related parties, net as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consisted of the following (table in millions):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
	Due to EMC	$	(55	)	$	(76	)
	Due from EMC	57			125
	Due from related parties, net	$	2		$	49
	Income tax payable due to EMC	$	(37	)	$	(40	)
	Balances due to or from related parties, which are unrelated to tax obligations, are generally settled in cash within 60 days of each quarter-end. The timing of the tax payments due to and from EMC is governed by the tax sharing agreement with EMC.
	Notes Payable to EMC
	VMware and EMC entered into a note exchange agreement on January 21, 2014 providing for the issuance of three promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $1,500 million. The total debt of $1,500 million includes $450 million that was exchanged for the $450 million promissory note issued to EMC in April 2007, as amended and restated in June 2011.
	The three notes issued may be prepaid without penalty or premium, and outstanding principal is due on the following dates: $680 million due May 1, 2018, $550 million due May 1, 2020 and $270 million due December 1, 2022. The notes bear interest, payable quarterly in arrears, at the annual rate of 1.75%. During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, $6 million and $5 million, respectively, of interest expense was recognized.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	Segment Information
	VMware operates in one reportable operating segment, thus all required financial segment information can be found in the condensed consolidated financial statements. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and assessing performance. VMware’s chief operating decision maker allocates resources and assesses performance based upon discrete financial information at the consolidated level.
	Revenues by geographic area for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows (table in millions):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015		2014
	United States	$	762	$	649
	International	749		711
	Total	$	1,511	$	1,360
	Revenues by geographic area are based on the ship-to-addresses of VMware’s customers. No individual country other than the United States accounted for 10% or more of revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
	Long-lived assets by geographic area, which primarily include property and equipment, net, as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows (table in millions):
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
	United States	$	804	$	801
	International	128		117
	Total	$	932	$	918
	No individual country other than the United States accounted for 10% or more of these assets as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

Overview_and_Basis_of_Presenta1

Overview and Basis of Presentation (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Unaudited Interim Financial Information
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for interim financial reporting.  In the opinion of management, these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments and accruals, for a fair statement of VMware’s condensed consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the periods presented. Results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year 2015. Certain information and footnote disclosures typically included in annual consolidated financial statements have been condensed or omitted. Accordingly, these unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in VMware’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
	As of March 31, 2015, EMC Corporation (“EMC”) held approximately 80.6% of VMware’s outstanding common stock and 97.4% of the combined voting power of VMware’s outstanding common stock, including 43 million shares of VMware’s Class A common stock and all of VMware’s Class B common stock. VMware is a majority-owned and controlled subsidiary of EMC, and its results of operations and financial position are consolidated with EMC’s financial statements.
	Management believes the assumptions underlying the condensed consolidated financial statements are reasonable. However, the amounts recorded for VMware’s intercompany transactions with EMC may not be considered arm’s length with an unrelated third party. Therefore, the financial statements included herein may not necessarily reflect the financial position, results of operations and cash flows had VMware engaged in such transactions with an unrelated third party during all periods presented. Accordingly, VMware’s historical financial information is not necessarily indicative of what the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows will be in the future if and when VMware contracts at arm’s length with unrelated third parties for the services the Company receives from and provides to EMC.
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation
	The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of VMware and subsidiaries in which VMware has a controlling financial interest. Non-controlling interests are presented as a separate component within total stockholders’ equity and represent the equity and cumulative pro-rata share of the results of operations attributable to the non-controlling interests. Net earnings attributable to the non-controlling interests are eliminated within other expense on the condensed consolidated statements of income and are not presented separately as the amounts were not material for the periods presented. All intercompany transactions and account balances between VMware and its subsidiaries have been eliminated in consolidation. Transactions with EMC and its subsidiaries are generally settled in cash and are classified on the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows based upon the nature of the underlying transaction.
Reclassification	Reclassification
	Certain prior period amounts related to the notes payable to EMC have been reclassified within the financing activities section of the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. The reclassifications had no effect on total cash flows used in or provided by operating, investing or financing activities as previously reported.
Use of Accounting Estimates	Use of Accounting Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods, and the disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements. Estimates are used for, but not limited to trade receivable valuation, marketing development funds and rebates, useful lives assigned to fixed assets and intangible assets, valuation of goodwill and definite-lived intangibles, income taxes, stock-based compensation, and contingencies. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
New Accounting Pronouncement	New Accounting Pronouncement
	During May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The updated revenue standard establishes principles for recognizing revenue and develops a common revenue standard for all industries. Upon adoption, entities will be required to recognize the amount of revenue that they expect to be entitled to for the transfer of promised goods or services to their customers. The updated standard is effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2017 and permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. Early adoption is not permitted. In April 2015, the FASB proposed a one-year delay in the effective date of the new standard to 2018. Under this proposal, early adoption will be allowed, but not earlier than the original effective date.
	The Company has not selected a transition method and is currently evaluating the effect that the updated standard will have on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Business_Combinations_Definite1

Business Combinations, Definite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net and Goodwill (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets	As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, definite-lived intangible assets consisted of the following (amounts in table in millions):
		31-Mar-15
		Weighted-Average		Gross Carrying		Accumulated			Net Book
		Useful Lives		Amount		Amortization			Value
		(in years)
	Purchased technology	6.5		$	705	$	(279	)	$	426
	Leasehold interest	34.9		149		(16		)	133
	Customer relationships and customer lists	8.2		157		(58		)	99
	Trademarks and tradenames	8.6		61		(11		)	50
	Other	2.1		20		(9		)	11
	Total definite-lived intangible assets			$	1,092	$	(373	)	$	719
		31-Dec-14
		Weighted-Average		Gross Carrying		Accumulated			Net Book
		Useful Lives		Amount		Amortization			Value
		(in years)
	Purchased technology	6.5		$	699	$	(252	)	$	447
	Leasehold interest	34.9		149		(15		)	134
	Customer relationships and customer lists	8.2		157		(53		)	104
	Trademarks and tradenames	8.6		61		(9		)	52
	Other	2.7		18		(7		)	11
	Total definite-lived intangible assets			$	1,084	$	(336	)	$	748
Schedule of Future Amortization Expense	Based on intangible assets recorded as of March 31, 2015 and assuming no subsequent additions or impairment of underlying assets, the remaining estimated annual amortization expense is expected to be as follows (table in millions):
	Remainder of 2015	$	109
	2016	128
	2017	121
	2018	108
	2019	87
	Thereafter	166
	Total	$	719
Schedule of Goodwill	The following table summarizes the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the three months ended March 31, 2015 (table in millions):
	Balance, January 1, 2015	$	3,964
	Increase in goodwill related to business combination	17
	Balance, March 31, 2015	$	3,981

Realignment_Charges_Tables

Realignment Charges (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring and Related Costs	The following table summarizes the activity for the accrued realignment charges for the three months ended March 31, 2015 (table in millions):
		For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
		Balance as of		Realignment		Utilization			Balance as of
		1-Jan-15		Charges					31-Mar-15
	Severance-related costs	$	8	$	22	$	(14	)	$	16

Net_Income_per_Share_Tables

Net Income per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computations of Basic and Diluted Net Income per Share	The following table sets forth the computations of basic and diluted net income per share during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (net income in millions, shares in thousands):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
	Net income	$	196		$	199
	Weighted-average shares, basic for Class A and Class B	427,962			430,546
	Effect of dilutive securities	2,534			4,183
	Weighted-average shares, diluted for Class A and Class B	430,496			434,729
	Net income per weighted-average share, basic for Class A and Class B	$	0.46		$	0.46
	Net income per weighted-average share, diluted for Class A and Class B	$	0.45		$	0.46
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share	The following table sets forth the weighted-average common share equivalents of Class A common stock that were excluded from the diluted net income per share calculations during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, because their effect would have been anti-dilutive (shares in thousands):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015		2014
	Anti-dilutive securities:
	Employee stock options	2,503		930
	Restricted stock units	223		35
	Total	2,726		965

Cash_Cash_Equivalents_and_Inve1

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Investing in Fixed Income Securities	Cash, cash equivalents and investments as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consisted of the following (tables in millions):
		March 31, 2015
		Cost or Amortized Cost		Unrealized Gains			Unrealized Losses			Aggregate
										Fair Value
	Cash	$	827	$	—		$	—		$	827
	Cash equivalents:
	Money-market funds	$	1,082	$	—		$	—		$	1,082
	U.S. and foreign corporate debt securities	32		—			—			32
	Total cash equivalents	$	1,114	$	—		$	—		$	1,114
	Short-term investments:
	U.S. Government and agency obligations	$	665	$	2		$	—		$	667
	U.S. and foreign corporate debt securities	3,322		8			(2		)	3,328
	Foreign governments and multi-national agency obligations	28		—			—			28
	Municipal obligations	908		2			—			910
	Asset-backed securities	87		—			—			87
	Mortgage-backed securities	265		—			—			265
	Total short-term investments	$	5,275	$	12		$	(2	)	$	5,285
	Other assets:
	Marketable available-for-sale equity securities	$	15	$	—		$	(1	)	$	14
		December 31, 2014
		Cost or Amortized Cost		Unrealized Gains			Unrealized Losses			Aggregate
										Fair Value
	Cash	$	885	$	—		$	—		$	885
	Cash equivalents:
	Money-market funds	$	1,130	$	—		$	—		$	1,130
	U.S. and foreign corporate debt securities	54		—			—			54
	Foreign governments and multi-national agency obligations	2		—			—			2
	Total cash equivalents	$	1,186	$	—		$	—		$	1,186
	Short-term investments:
	U.S. Government and agency obligations	$	542	$	—		$	—		$	542
	U.S. and foreign corporate debt securities	3,236		3			(5		)	3,234
	Foreign governments and multi-national agency obligations	23		—			—			23
	Municipal obligations	930		2			—			932
	Asset-backed securities	53		—			—			53
	Mortgage-backed securities	221		—			(1		)	220
	Total short-term investments	$	5,005	$	5		$	(6	)	$	5,004
Unrealized Losses on Investments	Unrealized losses on cash equivalents and investments as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, which have been in a net loss position for less than twelve months, were classified by investment category as follows (table in millions):
		March 31, 2015					December 31, 2014
		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value			Unrealized Losses
	U.S. and foreign corporate debt securities	$	1,041	$	(2	)	$	1,964		$	(5	)
	Mortgage-backed securities	93		—			107			(1		)
	Marketable available-for-sale equity securities	14		(1		)	—			—
	Total	$	1,148	$	(3	)	$	2,071		$	(6	)
Contractual Maturities of Investments	The contractual maturities of cash equivalents and short-term investments held at March 31, 2015 consisted of the following (table in millions):
		Amortized		Aggregate
		Cost Basis		Fair Value
	Due within one year	$	2,632	$	2,633
	Due after 1 year through 5 years	3,470		3,479
	Due after 5 years	287		287
	Total cash equivalents and short-term investments	$	6,389	$	6,399

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Of Money Market Funds And Available-For-Sale Securities	The following tables set forth the fair value hierarchy of VMware’s money-market funds, available-for-sale securities, and foreign currency forward contracts, that were required to be measured at fair value as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (tables in millions):
		March 31, 2015
		Level 1		Level 2			Total
	Cash equivalents:
	Money-market funds	$	1,082	$	—		$	1,082
	U.S. and foreign corporate debt securities	—		32			32
	Total cash equivalents	$	1,082	$	32		$	1,114
	Short-term investments:
	U.S. Government and agency obligations	$	436	$	231		$	667
	U.S. and foreign corporate debt securities	—		3,328			3,328
	Foreign governments and multi-national agency obligations	—		28			28
	Municipal obligations	—		910			910
	Asset-backed securities	—		87			87
	Mortgage-backed securities	—		265			265
	Total short-term investments	$	436	$	4,849		$	5,285
	Other current assets:
	Foreign currency forward contracts	$	—	$	1		$	1
	Other assets:
	Marketable available-for-sale equity securities	$	14	$	—		$	14
	Accrued expenses and other:
	Foreign currency forward contracts	$	—	$	(7	)	$	(7	)
		December 31, 2014
		Level 1		Level 2			Total
	Cash equivalents:
	Money-market funds	$	1,130	$	—		$	1,130
	U.S. and foreign corporate debt securities	—		54			54
	Foreign governments and multi-national agency obligations	—		2			2
	Total cash equivalents	$	1,130	$	56		$	1,186
	Short-term investments:
	U.S. Government and agency obligations	$	353	$	189		$	542
	U.S. and foreign corporate debt securities	—		3,234			3,234
	Foreign governments and multi-national agency obligations	—		23			23
	Municipal obligations	—		932			932
	Asset-backed securities	—		53			53
	Mortgage-backed securities	—		220			220
	Total short-term investments	$	353	$	4,651		$	5,004
	Other current assets:
	Foreign currency forward contracts	$	—	$	1		$	1
	Accrued expenses and other:
	Foreign currency forward contracts	$	—	$	(1	)	$	(1	)

Unearned_Revenues_Tables

Unearned Revenues (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Deferred Revenue Disclosure [Abstract]
Unearned Revenues, by Arrangement	Unearned revenues as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consisted of the following (table in millions):
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
	Unearned license revenues	$	466	$	488
	Unearned software maintenance revenues	3,847		3,905
	Unearned professional services revenues	431		440
	Total unearned revenues	$	4,744	$	4,833

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Stock Repurchase Programs	The following table summarizes stock repurchase authorizations that remain open as of March 31, 2015 (amounts in table in millions):
	Authorization Date		Amount Authorized	Expiration Date		Status
	27-Jan-15		$1,000	31-Dec-17		Open
	6-Aug-14		$1,000	31-Dec-16		Open
	The following table summarizes stock repurchase activity during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (aggregate purchase price in millions, shares in thousands):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
	Aggregate purchase price	$	438		$	169
	Class A common shares repurchased	5,366			1,767
	Weighted-average price per share	$	81.65		$	95.56
Stock Options, Activity	The following table summarizes stock option activity since January 1, 2015 (shares in thousands):
		Number of		Weighted-
		Shares		Average
				Exercise Price
				(per share)
	Outstanding, January 1, 2015	5,869		$	50.54
	Granted	13		84.68
	Forfeited	(82	)	75.58
	Exercised	(273	)	23.12
	Outstanding, March 31, 2015	5,527		51.63
Summary of Restricted Stock Activity	The following table summarizes restricted stock activity since January 1, 2015 (units in thousands):
		Number of Units		Weighted-
				Average Grant
				Date Fair
				Value
				(per unit)
	Outstanding, January 1, 2015	12,585		$	88.88
	Granted	1,132		82.54
	Vested	(939	)	81.85
	Forfeited	(539	)	88.06
	Outstanding, March 31, 2015	12,239		87.87
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	The changes in components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows (tables in millions):
		Unrealized Gain on			Unrealized Loss on			Total
		Available-for-Sale Securities			Cash Flow Hedges
	Balance, January 1, 2015	$	—		$	(1	)	$	(1	)
	Unrealized gain (loss), net of taxes of $4, $0, and $4	6			(5		)	1
	Balance, March 31, 2015	$	6		$	(6	)	$	—
		Unrealized Gain on			Total
		Available-for-Sale Securities
	Balance, January 1, 2014	$	4		$	4
	Unrealized gain, net of taxes of $1 and $1	1			1
	Balance, March 31, 2014	$	5		$	5

Related_Parties_Tables

Related Parties (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Schedule of Related Party Transactions	As a result of the related-party transactions with EMC described above, amounts due to and from related parties, net as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consisted of the following (table in millions):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
	Due to EMC	$	(55	)	$	(76	)
	Due from EMC	57			125
	Due from related parties, net	$	2		$	49
	Income tax payable due to EMC	$	(37	)	$	(40	)
	Information about VMware’s revenues and receipts from such arrangements with EMC during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 and unearned revenues as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consisted of the following (table in millions):
		Revenues and Receipts from						Unearned Revenues from
		EMC						EMC
		Three Months Ended March 31,						As of		As of December 31,
								March 31,
		2015			2014			2015		2014
	Reseller revenues	$	61		$	46		$	272	$	290
	Internal-use revenues	3			7			16		18
	Professional services revenues	23			23			3		9
	Collaborative technology project receipts	—			—			n/a		n/a
	Agency fee revenues	1			2			—		—
	Reimbursement for transition services	1			2			n/a		n/a
	Information about VMware’s costs from such arrangements with EMC for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 consisted of the following (table in millions):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
	Purchases and leases of products and purchases of services	$	19		$	21
	Collaborative technology project costs	1			3
	EMC subsidiary support and administrative costs	28			41
Schedule of Payments Related to the Income Tax Sharing Agreement [Table Text Block]	The following table summarizes these payments made between VMware and EMC during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (table in millions):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
	Payments from VMware to EMC	$	49		$	20

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Revenues by Geographic Area	Revenues by geographic area for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows (table in millions):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015		2014
	United States	$	762	$	649
	International	749		711
	Total	$	1,511	$	1,360
Schedule of Long-Lived Assets by Geographic Area	Long-lived assets by geographic area, which primarily include property and equipment, net, as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows (table in millions):
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
	United States	$	804	$	801
	International	128		117
	Total	$	932	$	918

Overview_and_Basis_of_Presenta2

Overview and Basis of Presentation (Basis of Presentation) (Details) (EMC)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Overview and Basis of Presentation [Line Items]
Shareholders' interest, outstanding ownership percentage of VMware by EMC	80.60%
Combined voting power of VMware's outstanding common stock	97.40%
Class A Common Stock
Overview and Basis of Presentation [Line Items]
VMware's outstanding common stock held by EMC (shares)	43

Business_Combinations_Definite2

Business Combinations, Definite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net and Goodwill (Business Combinations And Goodwill) (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 02, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	$21
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	8
Increase in goodwill related to business combination	$17	$17

Business_Combinations_Definite3

Business Combinations, Definite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net and Goodwill (Intangible Assets Detail) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$1,092	$1,084
Accumulated Amortization	-373	-336
Net Book Value	719	748
Purchased technology
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted-Average Useful Lives (in years)	6 years 6 months	6 years 5 months 25 days
Gross Carrying Amount	705	699
Accumulated Amortization	-279	-252
Net Book Value	426	447
Leasehold interest
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted-Average Useful Lives (in years)	34 years 10 months 24 days	34 years 10 months 24 days
Gross Carrying Amount	149	149
Accumulated Amortization	-16	-15
Net Book Value	133	134
Customer relationships and customer lists
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted-Average Useful Lives (in years)	8 years 2 months 12 days	8 years 2 months 13 days
Gross Carrying Amount	157	157
Accumulated Amortization	-58	-53
Net Book Value	99	104
Trademarks and tradenames
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted-Average Useful Lives (in years)	8 years 7 months 6 days	8 years 7 months 15 days
Gross Carrying Amount	61	61
Accumulated Amortization	-11	-9
Net Book Value	50	52
Other
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted-Average Useful Lives (in years)	2 years 1 month 6 days	2 years 8 months 21 days
Gross Carrying Amount	20	18
Accumulated Amortization	-9	-7
Net Book Value	11	11
Purchased intangible assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization Expense	$37		$30

Business_Combinations_Definite4

Business Combinations, Definite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net and Goodwill (Amortization of Intangible Assets) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Remainder of 2015	$109
2016	128
2017	121
2018	108
2019	87
Thereafter	166
Net Book Value	$719	$748

Business_Combinations_Definite5

Business Combinations, Definite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net and Goodwill (Changes In Carrying Amount Of Goodwill) (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 02, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, January 1, 2015		$3,964
Increase in goodwill related to business combination	17	17
Balance, March 31, 2015		$3,981

Realignment_Charges_Narrative_

Realignment Charges (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
	Position
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of positions eliminated	350
Realignment Charges	$22	[1]	$0	[1]
Restructuring Reserve	$16
[1]	Includes stock-based compensation as follows: Cost of license revenues $1 $1, Cost of services revenues $11 $9, Research and development $54 $60, Sales and marketing $39 $41, General and administrative $14 $17, Realignment charges $0 $0.

Realignment_Charges_Schedule_o

Realignment Charges (Schedule of Restructuring Reserve) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Realignment Charges	$22	[1]	$0	[1]
Restructuring Reserve, Ending of Period	16
Employee Severance
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning of Period	8
Realignment Charges	22
Utilization	-14
Restructuring Reserve, Ending of Period	$16
[1]	Includes stock-based compensation as follows: Cost of license revenues $1 $1, Cost of services revenues $11 $9, Research and development $54 $60, Sales and marketing $39 $41, General and administrative $14 $17, Realignment charges $0 $0.

Net_Income_per_Share_Computati

Net Income per Share (Computations Of Basic And Diluted Net Income Per Share) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income	$196	$199
Weighted-average shares, basic for Class A and Class B	427,962	430,546
Effect of dilutive securities	2,534	4,183
Weighted-average shares, diluted for Class A and Class B	430,496	434,729
Net income per weighted-average share, basic for Class A and Class B	$0.46	$0.46
Net income per weighted-average share, diluted for Class A and Class B	$0.45	$0.46

Net_Income_per_Share_AntiDilut

Net Income per Share (Anti-Dilutive Shares Excluded From Net Income) (Details)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	2,726	965
Class A Common Stock | Stock Options
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	2,503	930
Class A Common Stock | Restricted Stock
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	223	35

Cash_Cash_Equivalents_and_Inve2

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments (Investing In Fixed Income Securities) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	$1,941	$2,071	$2,788	$2,305
Short-term investments, cost or amortized cost	5,275	5,005
Short-term investments, unrealized gains	12	5
Short-term investments, unrealized losses	-2	-6
Aggregate Fair Value	5,285	5,004
Marketable available-for-sale equity securities, amortized cost	15
Marketable available-for-sale equity securities, unrealized gains	0
Marketable available-for-sale equity securities, unrealized losses	-1
Marketable available-for-sale equity securities	14
Asset-backed securities
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Short-term investments, cost or amortized cost	87	53
Short-term investments, unrealized gains	0	0
Short-term investments, unrealized losses	0	0
Aggregate Fair Value	87	53
U.S. Government and agency obligations
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Short-term investments, cost or amortized cost	665	542
Short-term investments, unrealized gains	2	0
Short-term investments, unrealized losses	0	0
Aggregate Fair Value	667	542
U.S. and foreign corporate debt securities
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Short-term investments, cost or amortized cost	3,322	3,236
Short-term investments, unrealized gains	8	3
Short-term investments, unrealized losses	-2	-5
Aggregate Fair Value	3,328	3,234
Foreign governments and multi-national agency obligations
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Short-term investments, cost or amortized cost	28	23
Short-term investments, unrealized gains	0	0
Short-term investments, unrealized losses	0	0
Aggregate Fair Value	28	23
Municipal obligations
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Short-term investments, cost or amortized cost	908	930
Short-term investments, unrealized gains	2	2
Short-term investments, unrealized losses	0	0
Aggregate Fair Value	910	932
Mortgage-backed securities
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Short-term investments, cost or amortized cost	265	221
Short-term investments, unrealized gains	0	0
Short-term investments, unrealized losses	0	-1
Aggregate Fair Value	265	220
Cash
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	827	885
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0	0
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0	0
Cash equivalents:	827	885
Money-market funds
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	1,082	1,130
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0	0
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0	0
Cash equivalents:	1,082	1,130
U.S. and foreign corporate debt securities
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	32	54
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0	0
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0	0
Cash equivalents:	32	54
Foreign governments and multi-national agency obligations
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value		2
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax		0
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax		0
Cash equivalents:		2
Total cash equivalents
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	1,114	1,186
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0	0
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0	0
Cash equivalents:	$1,114	$1,186

Cash_Cash_Equivalents_and_Inve3

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments (Unrealized Losses On Cash Equivalents and Investments) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Fair Value	$1,148	$2,071
Unrealized Losses	-3	-6
U.S. and foreign corporate debt securities
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Fair Value	1,041	1,964
Unrealized Losses	-2	-5
Mortgage-backed securities
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Fair Value	93	107
Unrealized Losses	0	-1
Marketable available-for-sale equity securities
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Fair Value	14	0
Unrealized Losses	($1)	$0

Cash_Cash_Equivalents_and_Inve4

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments (Contractual Maturities) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Amortized Cost Basis
Due within one year	$2,632
Due after 1 year through 5 years	3,470
Due after 5 years	287
Total cash equivalents and short-term investments	6,389
Aggregate Fair Value
Due within one year	2,633
Due after 1 year through 5 years	3,479
Due after 5 years	287
Total cash equivalents and short-term investments	$6,399

Fair_Value_Measurements_Fair_V

Fair Value Measurements (Fair Value Hierarchy) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments:	$5,285	$5,004
Marketable available-for-sale equity securities	14
Deferred Compensation Plan Assets	13	8
Deferred Compensation Plan Liabilities	13	8
Notes payable | EMC
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument	1,519	1,503
U.S. Government and agency obligations
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments:	667	542
U.S. and foreign corporate debt securities
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments:	3,328	3,234
Foreign governments and multi-national agency obligations
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments:	28	23
Municipal obligations
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments:	910	932
Asset-backed securities
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments:	87	53
Mortgage-backed securities
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments:	265	220
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments:	5,285	5,004
Foreign currency forward contracts, asset	1	1
Marketable available-for-sale equity securities	14
Foreign currency forward contracts, liability	-7	-1
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments:	436	353
Foreign currency forward contracts, asset	0	0
Marketable available-for-sale equity securities	14
Foreign currency forward contracts, liability	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments:	4,849	4,651
Foreign currency forward contracts, asset	1	1
Marketable available-for-sale equity securities	0
Foreign currency forward contracts, liability	-7	-1
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | U.S. Government and agency obligations
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments:	667	542
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | U.S. Government and agency obligations | Level 1
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments:	436	353
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | U.S. Government and agency obligations | Level 2
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments:	231	189
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | U.S. and foreign corporate debt securities
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments:	3,328	3,234
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | U.S. and foreign corporate debt securities | Level 1
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments:	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | U.S. and foreign corporate debt securities | Level 2
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments:	3,328	3,234
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Foreign governments and multi-national agency obligations
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash equivalents:		2
Short-term investments:	28	23
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Foreign governments and multi-national agency obligations | Level 1
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash equivalents:		0
Short-term investments:	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Foreign governments and multi-national agency obligations | Level 2
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash equivalents:		2
Short-term investments:	28	23
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Municipal obligations
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments:	910	932
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Municipal obligations | Level 1
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments:	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Municipal obligations | Level 2
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments:	910	932
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Asset-backed securities
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments:	87	53
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Asset-backed securities | Level 1
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments:	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Asset-backed securities | Level 2
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments:	87	53
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Mortgage-backed securities
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments:	265	220
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Mortgage-backed securities | Level 1
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments:	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Mortgage-backed securities | Level 2
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments:	265	220
Money-market funds
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash equivalents:	1,082	1,130
Money-market funds | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash equivalents:	1,082	1,130
Money-market funds | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash equivalents:	1,082	1,130
Money-market funds | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash equivalents:	0	0
U.S. and foreign corporate debt securities
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash equivalents:	32	54
U.S. and foreign corporate debt securities | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash equivalents:	32	54
U.S. and foreign corporate debt securities | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash equivalents:	0	0
U.S. and foreign corporate debt securities | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash equivalents:	32	54
Total cash equivalents
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash equivalents:	1,114	1,186
Total cash equivalents | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash equivalents:	1,114	1,186
Total cash equivalents | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash equivalents:	1,082	1,130
Total cash equivalents | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash equivalents:	$32	$56

Fair_Value_Measurements_Assets

Fair Value Measurements Assets Measured and Recorded at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Strategic Investments	$94	$110

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi1

Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Loss on foreign forward contracts and underlying assets and liabilities	$6
Foreign Exchange Forward Contract Not Designated as a Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gain on foreign currency derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	40
Not Designated As Hedging Instrument | Foreign Exchange Forward Contract Not Designated as a Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Maturity of derivatives	1 month
Notional amount of foreign currency derivatives	489	697
Cash Flow Hedging | Designated As Hedging Instrument | Foreign Exchange Forward Contract Not Designated as a Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Maturity of derivatives	12 months
Notional amount of foreign currency derivatives	$178	$240

Unearned_Revenues_Summary_of_U

Unearned Revenues (Summary of Unearned Revenues) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Unearned Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Unearned revenues	4,744	$4,833
Unearned license revenues
Unearned Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Unearned revenues	466	488
Unearned software maintenance revenues
Unearned Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Unearned revenues	3,847	3,905
Unearned professional services revenues
Unearned Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Unearned revenues	431	$440
Weighted Average | Unearned software maintenance revenues
Unearned Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Revenue recognition term	1 year 10 months 24 days

Contingencies_Narrative_Detail

Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss, Minimum	$11
Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss, Maximum	78
Loss Contingency Accrual	$11

Stockholders_Equity_Stock_Repu

Stockholders' Equity (Stock Repurchase Program) (Details) (Class A Common Stock, USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Jan. 27, 2015	Aug. 06, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Authorized amount remaining for repurchase	$1,521
January 2015 Stock Repurchase Program
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Authorized repurchase amount under stock repurchase program			1,000
August 2014 Stock Repurchase Program
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Authorized repurchase amount under stock repurchase program				1,000
VMware Share Repurchase Programs
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Aggregate purchase price	$438	$169
Class A common shares repurchased (shares)	5,366	1,767
Weighted-average price per share	$81.65	$95.56

Stockholders_Equity_Summary_of

Stockholders' Equity (Summary of Stock Option Activity) (Details) (Class A Common Stock, USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Class A Common Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Aggregate intrinsic value of stock options outstanding	$185
Number of Shares
Outstanding, Beginning balance (shares)	5,869
Granted (shares)	13
Forfeited (shares)	-82
Exercised (shares)	-273
Outstanding, Ending balance (shares)	5,527
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
Outstanding, Beginning balance (USD per share)	$50.54
Granted (USD per share)	$84.68
Forfeited (USD per share)	$75.58
Exercised (USD per share)	$23.12
Outstanding, Ending balance (USD per share)	$51.63

Recovered_Sheet1

Stockholders' Equity (Summary Of Restricted Stock Activity) (Details) (Class A Common Stock, USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Restricted Stock
Number of Units
Outstanding, number of shares	12,585,000
Granted, number of shares	1,132,000
Vested, number of shares	-939,000
Forfeited, number of shares	-539,000
Outstanding, number of shares	12,239,000
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding, weighted-average grant date fair value (USD per share)	$88.88
Granted, weighted-average grant date fair value (USD per share)	$82.54
Vested, weighted-average grant date fair value (USD per share)	$81.85
Forfeited, weighted-average grant date fair value (USD per share)	$88.06
Outstanding, weighted-average grant date fair value (USD per share)	$87.87
Fair value of restricted stock-based awards, vested	$77
Aggregate intrinsic value	$1,004
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Number of Units
Outstanding, number of shares	11,700,000
Performance Stock Units (PSUs)
Number of Units
Outstanding, number of shares	500,000
Minimum | Performance Stock Units (PSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance stock units to Class A common stock, conversion ratio	0.5
Maximum | Performance Stock Units (PSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance stock units to Class A common stock, conversion ratio	2

Stockholders_Equity_Accumulate

Stockholders' Equity (Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	($1)	$4
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax [Abstract]
Unrealized gain (loss), net of tax	1	1
Total other comprehensive income	1	1
Ending Balance	0	5
Tax effect on amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	4	1
Unrealized Gains on Available-for-Sale Securities
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	0	4
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax [Abstract]
Unrealized gain (loss), net of tax	6	1
Ending Balance	6	5
Tax effect on amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	4	1
Loss on Cash Flow Hedges
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	-1
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax [Abstract]
Unrealized gain (loss), net of tax	-5
Ending Balance	-6
Tax effect on amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	$0

Related_Parties_Schedule_of_Re

Related Parties (Schedule of Related Party Transactions) (Details) (EMC, USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Reseller revenues
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from related party	$61	$46
Unearned revenues	272		290
Internal-use revenues
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from related party	3	7
Unearned revenues	16		18
Professional services revenues
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from related party	23	23
Unearned revenues	3		9
Collaborative technology project receipts
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from related party	0	0
Agency fee revenues
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from related party	1	2
Unearned revenues	0		0
Reimbursement for transition services
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from related party	1	2
Purchases and leases of products and purchases of services
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party costs	19	21
Collaborative technology project costs
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party costs	1	3
EMC subsidiary support and administrative costs
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party costs	$28	$41

Related_Parties_Tax_Sharing_Ag

Related Parties Tax Sharing Agreement (Details) (EMC, Tax Sharing Agreement, USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
EMC | Tax Sharing Agreement
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Payments from VMware to EMC	$49	$20

Related_Parties_Due_ToFrom_Rel

Related Parties (Due To/From Related Parties) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party transaction, other than tax obligation due to or from related party, cash settlement period	60 days	60 days
EMC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Due to EMC	-55	-76
Due from EMC	57	125
Due from related parties, net	2	49
Income tax payable due to EMC	-37	-40

Related_Parties_Note_Payable_t

Related Parties (Note Payable to EMC) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Jan. 21, 2014
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Notes payable to EMC	$1,500		$1,500
Interest Expense, Related Party	6	5
EMC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Notes payable to EMC				450
Notes payable | EMC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Principal amount				1,500
Note, May 2018 | Notes payable | EMC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Principal amount				680
Interest rate				1.75%
Note, May 2020 | Notes payable | EMC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Principal amount				550
Interest rate				1.75%
Note, December 2022 | Notes payable | EMC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Principal amount				$270
Interest rate				1.75%

Segment_Information_Schedule_O

Segment Information (Schedule Of Revenues By Geographic Area) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
	segment
Revenues From External Customers And Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments	1
Revenues	$1,511	$1,360
United States
Revenues From External Customers And Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	762	649
International
Revenues From External Customers And Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	$749	$711

Segment_Information_Schedule_O1

Segment Information (Schedule Of Long-Lived Assets By Geographic Area) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Revenues From External Customers And Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets by geographic area	$932	$918
United States
Revenues From External Customers And Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets by geographic area	804	801
International
Revenues From External Customers And Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets by geographic area	$128	$117