Cisco Systems (CSCO) 10-Q 20 May 15 2015 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015	15-May-15
Document Documentand Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	25-Apr-15
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Trading Symbol	CSCO
Entity Registrant Name	CISCO SYSTEMS, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	858877
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-18
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		5,085,888,730

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Apr. 25, 2015	Jul. 26, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$3,870	$6,726
Investments	50,549	45,348
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $290 at April 25, 2015 and $265 at July 26, 2014	4,889	5,157
Inventories	1,760	1,591
Financing receivables, net	4,248	4,153
Deferred tax assets	2,539	2,808
Other current assets	1,476	1,331
Total current assets	69,331	67,114
Property and equipment, net	3,276	3,252
Financing receivables, net	3,506	3,918
Goodwill	24,398	24,239
Purchased intangible assets, net	2,626	3,280
Other assets	3,075	3,331
TOTAL ASSETS	106,212	105,134
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt	4,418	508
Accounts payable	1,118	1,032
Income taxes payable	80	159
Accrued compensation	2,726	3,181
Deferred revenue	9,371	9,478
Other current liabilities	5,532	5,451
Total current liabilities	23,245	19,809
Long-term debt	16,586	20,401
Income taxes payable	1,294	1,851
Deferred revenue	4,810	4,664
Other long-term liabilities	1,444	1,748
Total liabilities	47,379	48,473
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)
Cisco shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, no par value: 5 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding	0	0
Common stock and additional paid-in capital, $0.001 par value: 20,000 shares authorized; 5,093 and 5,107 shares issued and outstanding at April 25, 2015 and July 26, 2014, respectively	43,133	41,884
Retained earnings	15,503	14,093
Accumulated other comprehensive income	187	677
Total Cisco shareholders’ equity	58,823	56,654
Noncontrolling interests	10	7
Total equity	58,833	56,661
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$106,212	$105,134

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Apr. 25, 2015	Jul. 26, 2014
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$290	$265
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0	$0
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	5	5
Preferred stock, issued (in shares)	0	0
Preferred stock, outstanding (in shares)	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	20,000	20,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	5,093	5,107
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	5,093	5,107

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Ope

Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014
REVENUE:
Product	$9,326	$8,820	$27,839	$26,640
Service	2,811	2,725	8,479	8,145
Total revenue	12,137	11,545	36,318	34,785
COST OF SALES:
Product	3,584	3,595	11,309	11,665
Service	1,028	944	3,061	2,756
Total cost of sales	4,612	4,539	14,370	14,421
GROSS MARGIN	7,525	7,006	21,948	20,364
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Research and development	1,547	1,565	4,659	4,701
Sales and marketing	2,449	2,342	7,272	7,030
General and administrative	510	460	1,504	1,426
Amortization of purchased intangible assets	70	71	213	207
Restructuring and other charges	24	26	411	336
Total operating expenses	4,600	4,464	14,059	13,700
OPERATING INCOME	2,925	2,542	7,889	6,664
Interest income	190	170	558	508
Interest expense	-139	-146	-417	-422
Other income (loss), net	59	76	238	187
Interest and other income (loss), net	110	100	379	273
INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES	3,035	2,642	8,268	6,937
Provision for income taxes	598	461	1,606	1,331
NET INCOME	$2,437	$2,181	$6,662	$5,606
Net income per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.48	$0.42	$1.30	$1.06
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.47	$0.42	$1.29	$1.06
Shares used in per-share calculation:
Basic (in shares)	5,102	5,143	5,110	5,271
Diluted (in shares)	5,148	5,180	5,154	5,311
Cash dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.21	$0.19	$0.59	$0.53

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$2,437	$2,181	$6,662	$5,606
Change in net unrealized gains, net of tax benefit (expense) of $(57) and $(34) for the three and nine months ended April 25, 2015, respectively, and $(8) and $(131) for the corresponding periods of fiscal 2014, respectively	72	-8	80	209
Net gains reclassified into earnings, net of tax expense of $16 and $42 for the three and nine months ended April 25, 2015, respectively, and $26 and $88 for the corresponding periods of fiscal 2014, respectively	-28	-43	-78	-146
Total- Available-for-sale investments	44	-51	2	63
Change in unrealized gains and losses, net of tax benefit (expense) of $0 and $3 for the three and nine months ended April 25, 2015, respectively, and $(1) and $(2) for the corresponding periods of fiscal 2014, respectively	-32	13	-160	44
Net (gains) losses reclassified into earnings	64	-16	94	-44
Total- Cash flow hedging instruments	32	-3	-66	0
Net change in cumulative translation adjustment and actuarial gains and losses net of tax benefit (expense) of $14 and $50 for the three and nine months ended April 25, 2015, respectively, and $(5) for each of the corresponding periods of fiscal 2014	-80	42	-423	27
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-4	-12	-487	90
Comprehensive income	2,433	2,169	6,175	5,696
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	5	6	-3	-1
Comprehensive income attributable to Cisco Systems, Inc.	$2,438	$2,175	$6,172	$5,695

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com1

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities, before Reclassification Adjustments, Tax	($57)	($8)	($34)	($131)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Sale of Securities, Tax	16	26	42	88
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Tax	0	-1	3	-2
Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment and actuarial gains and losses,Tax	$14	($5)	$50	($5)

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Cas

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$6,662	$5,606
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization, and other	1,791	1,811
Share-based compensation expense	1,044	1,009
Provision for receivables	82	48
Deferred income taxes	438	-181
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	-102	-84
(Gains) losses on investments and other, net	-231	-228
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	97	1,064
Inventories	-235	-50
Financing receivables	36	332
Other assets	-341	180
Accounts payable	101	-2
Income taxes, net	-511	-356
Accrued compensation	-324	-411
Deferred revenue	217	-309
Other liabilities	-310	291
Net cash provided by operating activities	8,414	8,720
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of investments	-30,617	-27,884
Proceeds from sales of investments	13,890	14,490
Proceeds from maturities of investments	11,632	12,048
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired	-238	-2,784
Purchases of investments in privately held companies	-155	-315
Return of investments in privately held companies	274	119
Acquisition of property and equipment	-907	-950
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment	8	168
Other	-115	-30
Net cash used in investing activities	-6,228	-5,138
Cash flows from financing activities:
Issuances of common stock	1,584	1,053
Repurchases of common stock—repurchase program	-3,325	-7,965
Shares repurchased for tax withholdings on vesting of restricted stock units	-415	-345
Short-term borrowings, original maturities less than 90 days, net	496	-2
Issuances of debt	0	8,001
Repayments of debt	-507	-3,274
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	102	84
Dividends paid	-3,017	-2,784
Other	40	-34
Net cash used in financing activities	-5,042	-5,266
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-2,856	-1,684
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	6,726	7,925
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	3,870	6,241
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	646	561
Cash paid for income taxes, net	$1,680	$1,868

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Equ

Consolidated Statements Of Equity (USD $)	Total		Shares of Common Stock	Common Stock and Additional Paid-In Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Total Cisco Shareholders’ Equity	Non-controlling Interests
In Millions	USD ($)			USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)
Beginning balance at Jul. 27, 2013	$59,128			$42,297	$16,215	$608	$59,120	$8
Beginning balance (in shares) at Jul. 27, 2013			5,389
Net income	5,606				5,606		5,606
Other comprehensive (loss) income	90					89	89	1
Issuance of common stock (in shares)			100
Issuance of common stock	1,053			1,053			1,053
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)			-359
Repurchase of common stock	-8,025			-2,837	-5,188		-8,025
Shares repurchased for tax withholdings on vesting of restricted stock units (in shares)			-14
Shares repurchased for tax withholdings on vesting of restricted stock units	-345			-345			-345
Cash dividends declared (per common share)	-2,784				-2,784		-2,784
Tax effects from employee stock incentive plans	16			16			16
Share-based compensation expense	1,009			1,009			1,009
Purchase acquisitions and other	48			48			48
Ending Balance at Apr. 26, 2014	55,796			41,241	13,849	697	55,787	9
Ending Balance (in shares) at Apr. 26, 2014			5,116
Beginning balance at Jul. 26, 2014	56,661			41,884	14,093	677	56,654	7
Beginning balance (in shares) at Jul. 26, 2014			5,107
Net income	6,662				6,662		6,662
Other comprehensive (loss) income	-487					-490	-490	3
Issuance of common stock (in shares)			123
Issuance of common stock	1,584			1,584			1,584
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)	-120	[1]	-120
Repurchase of common stock	-3,229			-994	-2,235		-3,229
Shares repurchased for tax withholdings on vesting of restricted stock units (in shares)			-17
Shares repurchased for tax withholdings on vesting of restricted stock units	-415			-415			-415
Cash dividends declared (per common share)	-3,017				-3,017		-3,017
Tax effects from employee stock incentive plans	27			27			27
Share-based compensation expense	1,044			1,044			1,044
Purchase acquisitions and other	3			3			3
Ending Balance at Apr. 25, 2015	$58,833			$43,133	$15,503	$187	$58,823	$10
Ending Balance (in shares) at Apr. 25, 2015			5,093
[1]	Includes stock repurchases of $30 million, which were pending settlement as of April 25, 2015. There were $126 million of stock repurchases that were pending settlement as of July 26, 2014.

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Equ1

Consolidated Statements Of Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Cash dividends declared, per common share	$0.59	$0.53

Supplemental_Information

Supplemental Information	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Supplemental Information	Supplemental Information
	In September 2001, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program. As of April 25, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors had authorized an aggregate repurchase of up to $97 billion of common stock under this program with no termination date. The stock repurchases since the inception of this program and the related impacts on Cisco shareholders’ equity are summarized in the following table (in millions):
		Shares of	Common Stock		Retained		Total Cisco
		Common	and Additional		Earnings		Shareholders’
		Stock	Paid-In Capital				Equity
	Repurchases of common stock under the repurchase program	4,408	$	22,318	$	69,356	$	91,674

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation
	1	Basis of Presentation
	The fiscal year for Cisco Systems, Inc. (the “Company” or “Cisco”) is the 52 or 53 weeks ending on the last Saturday in July. Fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014 are each 52-week fiscal years. The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Cisco and its subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The Company conducts business globally and is primarily managed on a geographic basis in the following three geographic segments: the Americas; Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA); and Asia Pacific, Japan, and China (APJC).
	The accompanying financial data as of April 25, 2015 and for the three and nine months ended April 25, 2015 and April 26, 2014 has been prepared by the Company, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The July 26, 2014 Consolidated Balance Sheet was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. However, the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 26, 2014.
	The Company consolidates its investments in a venture fund managed by SOFTBANK Corp. and its affiliates (“SOFTBANK”) as this is a variable interest entity and the Company is the primary beneficiary. The noncontrolling interests attributed to SOFTBANK are presented as a separate component from the Company’s equity in the equity section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. SOFTBANK’s share of the earnings in the venture fund are not presented separately in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as these amounts are not material for any of the fiscal periods presented.
	In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include normal recurring adjustments, except as disclosed herein) necessary to present fairly the consolidated balance sheet as of April 25, 2015; the results of operations and statements of comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended April 25, 2015 and April 26, 2014; and the statements of cash flows and equity for the nine months ended April 25, 2015 and April 26, 2014, as applicable, have been made. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended April 25, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full fiscal year or any future periods.
	Certain reclassifications have been made to the amounts in prior periods in order to conform to the current period’s presentation. The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the date that the financial statements were issued.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	2	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	(a)	New Accounting Updates Recently Adopted
	In March 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued an accounting standard update requiring an entity to release into net income the entire amount of a cumulative translation adjustment related to its investment in a foreign entity when as a parent it sells either a part or all of its investment in the foreign entity or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets within the foreign entity. This accounting standard update became effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2015. The application of this accounting standard update did not have any impact to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued an accounting standard update that provides explicit guidance on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward or a tax credit carryforward exists. Under the new standard update, an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, is to be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward or a tax credit carryforward. This accounting standard update became effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 and applied prospectively. The application of this accounting standard update did not have a material impact to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standard update that changes the criteria for reporting discontinued operations. This accounting standard update raises the threshold for a disposal transaction to qualify as a discontinued operation and requires additional disclosures about discontinued operations and disposals of individually significant components that do not qualify as discontinued operations. The Company adopted this accounting standard update in the second quarter of fiscal 2015, and it did not have any impact upon adoption.
	(b)	Recent Accounting Standards or Updates Not Yet Effective
	In May 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standard update related to revenue from contracts with customers, which will supersede nearly all current U.S. GAAP guidance on this topic and eliminate industry-specific guidance. The underlying principle is to recognize revenue when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that is expected to be received for those goods or services. This accounting standard update will be effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. The new revenue standard may be applied retrospectively to each prior period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect recognized as of the date of adoption.  Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this accounting standard update on its Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In February 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standard update that changes the analysis that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. The accounting standard update will be effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this accounting standard update on its Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standard update requiring debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt, consistent with debt discounts. The accounting standard update will be effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 on a retrospective basis, with early adoption permitted. The accounting standard update is a change in balance sheet presentation only and is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

Business_Combinations

Business Combinations	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Combinations
	3	Business Combinations
	The Company completed four business combinations during the nine months ended April 25, 2015. A summary of the allocation of the total purchase consideration is presented as follows (in millions):
		Purchase Consideration		Net Liabilities Assumed			Purchased Intangible Assets		Goodwill
	Metacloud, Inc.	$	149	$	(7	)	$	29	$	127
	All others (three in total)	93		(10		)	46		57
	Total	$	242	$	(17	)	$	75	$	184
	On September 29, 2014, the Company completed its acquisition of Metacloud, Inc. ("Metacloud"), a provider of private clouds for global organizations. With its acquisition of Metacloud, the Company aims to advance its Intercloud strategy to deliver a globally distributed, highly secure cloud platform capable of meeting customer demands. Revenue from the Metacloud acquisition has been included in the Company's Service category.
	The total purchase consideration related to the Company’s business combinations completed during the nine months ended April 25, 2015 consisted of cash consideration and vested share-based awards assumed. The total cash and cash equivalents acquired from these business combinations was approximately $5 million. Total transaction costs related to the Company’s business combination activities were $5 million and $7 million for the nine months ended April 25, 2015 and April 26, 2014, respectively. These transaction costs were expensed as incurred in general and administrative expenses ("G&A") in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	The Company’s purchase price allocation for business combinations completed during recent periods is preliminary and subject to revision as additional information about fair value of assets and liabilities becomes available. Additional information, that existed as of the acquisition date but at that time was unknown to the Company may become known to the Company during the remainder of the measurement period, a period not to exceed 12 months from the acquisition date. Adjustments in the purchase price allocation may require a recasting of the amounts allocated to goodwill retroactive to the period in which the acquisition occurred.
	The goodwill generated from the Company’s business combinations completed during the nine months ended April 25, 2015 is primarily related to expected synergies. The goodwill is generally not deductible for income tax purposes.
	The Consolidated Financial Statements include the operating results of each business combination from the date of acquisition. Pro forma results of operations for the acquisitions completed during the nine months ended April 25, 2015 have not been presented because the effects of the acquisitions, individually and in the aggregate, were not material to the Company’s financial results.

Goodwill_and_Purchased_Intangi

Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets
	4	Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets
	(a)	Goodwill
	The following table presents the goodwill allocated to the Company’s reportable segments as of and during the nine months ended April 25, 2015 (in millions):
		Balance at July 26, 2014				Acquisitions				Other			Balance at April 25, 2015
	Americas	$	15,080			$	99			$	(13	)	$	15,166
	EMEA	5,715				67				(7		)	5,775
	APJC	3,444				18				(5		)	3,457
	Total	$	24,239			$	184			$	(25	)	$	24,398
	The column entitled “Other” primarily includes purchase accounting adjustments.
	(b)	Purchased Intangible Assets
	The following table presents details of the Company’s intangible assets acquired through business combinations completed during the nine months ended April 25, 2015 (in millions, except years):
		FINITE LIVES											INDEFINITE		TOTAL
													LIVES
		TECHNOLOGY						CUSTOMER					IPR&D
								RELATIONSHIPS
		Weighted-		Amount				Weighted-		Amount			Amount		Amount
		Average Useful						Average Useful
		Life (in Years)						Life (in Years)
	Metacloud, Inc.	3		$	24			5		$	3		$	2	$	29
	All others (three in total)	4.7		31				8.1		11			4		46
	Total			$	55					$	14		$	6	$	75
	The following tables present details of the Company’s purchased intangible assets (in millions):
	April 25, 2015		Gross				Accumulated Amortization				Net
	Purchased intangible assets with finite lives:
	Technology		$	3,456			$	(1,742	)		$	1,714
	Customer relationships		1,709				(915		)		794
	Other		51				(22		)		29
	Total purchased intangible assets with finite lives		5,216				(2,679		)		2,537
	In-process research and development, with indefinite lives		89				—				89
	Total		$	5,305			$	(2,679	)		$	2,626
	July 26, 2014		Gross				Accumulated Amortization				Net
	Purchased intangible assets with finite lives:
	Technology		$	4,100			$	(1,976	)		$	2,124
	Customer relationships		1,706				(720		)		986
	Other		51				(13		)		38
	Total purchased intangible assets with finite lives		5,857				(2,709		)		3,148
	In-process research and development, with indefinite lives		132				—				132
	Total		$	5,989			$	(2,709	)		$	3,280
	Purchased intangible assets include intangible assets acquired through business combinations as well as through direct purchases or licenses.
	The following table presents the amortization of purchased intangible assets (in millions):
		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		April 25,				April 26,				April 25,			April 26,
		2015				2014				2015			2014
	Amortization of purchased intangible assets:
	Cost of sales	$	187			$	190			$	618		$	553
	Operating expenses	70				71				213			207
	Total	$	257			$	261			$	831		$	760
	Amortization of purchased intangible assets for the three and nine months ended April 25, 2015 included impairment charges of approximately $1 million and $57 million, respectively. The impairment was primarily due to reductions in expected future cash flows related to certain of the Company's technology intangible assets and was recorded as amortization of purchased intangible assets. There were no impairment charges related to purchased intangible assets during the three and nine months ended April 26, 2014.
	The estimated future amortization expense of purchased intangible assets with finite lives as of April 25, 2015 is as follows (in millions):
	Fiscal Year	Amount
	2015 (remaining three months)	$	223
	2016	763
	2017	590
	2018	448
	2019	345
	Thereafter	168
	Total	$	2,537

Restructuring_and_Other_Charge

Restructuring and Other Charges	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Restructuring Charges [Abstract]
Restructuring and Other Charges
	5	Restructuring and Other Charges
	Fiscal 2015 Plan
	In connection with a restructuring action announced in August 2014 ("Fiscal 2015 Plan"), the Company incurred charges of $24 million and $411 million for the three and nine months ended April 25, 2015, respectively. The Company estimates that it will recognize aggregate pre-tax charges pursuant to the restructuring action in an amount not expected to exceed $600 million, consisting of severance and other one-time termination benefits and other associated costs. These charges are primarily cash-based and the Company expects the remaining amount to be recognized during the remainder of fiscal 2015.
	Fiscal 2014 Plan
	In connection with a restructuring action announced in August 2013 ("Fiscal 2014 Plan"), the Company incurred cumulative charges of approximately $418 million, of which $26 million and $336 million were incurred during the three and nine months ended April 26, 2014, respectively. The Company completed the Fiscal 2014 Plan at the end of fiscal 2014.
	The following table summarizes the activities related to the restructuring and other charges as discussed above (in millions):
			Fiscal 2014 and Prior Plans						Fiscal 2015 Plan
			Employee			Other			Employee			Other			Total
			Severance						Severance
	Liability as of July 26, 2014		$	40		$	29		$	—		$	—		$	69
	Gross charges in fiscal 2015		—			—			405			6			411
	Cash payments		(26		)	(10		)	(381		)	(3		)	(420		)
	Non-cash items		—			—			(2		)	4			2
	Liability as of April 25, 2015		$	14		$	19		$	22		$	7		$	62

Balance_Sheet_Details

Balance Sheet Details	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Balance Sheet Details
	6	Balance Sheet Details
	The following tables provide details of selected balance sheet items (in millions):
			April 25,			July 26,
			2015			2014
	Inventories:
	Raw materials		$	264		$	77
	Work in process		2			5
	Finished goods:
	Distributor inventory and deferred cost of sales		635			595
	Manufactured finished goods		547			606
	Total finished goods		1,182			1,201
	Service-related spares		268			273
	Demonstration systems		44			35
	Total		$	1,760		$	1,591
	Property and equipment, net:
	Gross property and equipment:
	Land, buildings, and building and leasehold improvements		$	4,465		$	4,468
	Computer equipment and related software		1,344			1,425
	Production, engineering, and other equipment		5,795			5,756
	Operating lease assets		359			362
	Furniture and fixtures		498			509
	Total gross property and equipment		12,461			12,520
	Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization		(9,185		)	(9,268		)
	Total		$	3,276		$	3,252
	Other assets:
	Deferred tax assets		$	1,437		$	1,700
	Investments in privately held companies		873			899
	Other		765			732
	Total		$	3,075		$	3,331
	Deferred revenue:
	Service		$	9,236		$	9,640
	Product:
	Unrecognized revenue on product shipments and other deferred revenue		4,258			3,924
	Cash receipts related to unrecognized revenue from two-tier distributors		687			578
	Total product deferred revenue		4,945			4,502
	Total		$	14,181		$	14,142
	Reported as:
	Current		$	9,371		$	9,478
	Noncurrent		4,810			4,664
	Total		$	14,181		$	14,142

Financing_Receivables_and_Oper

Financing Receivables and Operating Leases	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Financing Receivables and Operating Leases
	7	Financing Receivables and Operating Leases
	(a)	Financing Receivables
	Financing receivables primarily consist of lease receivables, loan receivables, and financed service contracts and other. Lease receivables represent sales-type and direct-financing leases resulting from the sale of the Company’s and complementary third-party products and are typically collateralized by a security interest in the underlying assets. Loan receivables represent financing arrangements related to the sale of the Company’s products and services, which may include additional funding for other costs associated with network installation and integration of the Company’s products and services. Lease receivables consist of arrangements with terms of four years on average, while loan receivables generally have terms of up to three years. The financed service contracts and other category includes financing receivables related to technical support and advanced services, as well as receivables related to financing of certain indirect costs associated with leases. Revenue related to the technical support services is typically deferred and included in deferred service revenue and is recognized ratably over the period during which the related services are to be performed, which typically ranges from one to three years.
	A summary of the Company's financing receivables is presented as follows (in millions):
	April 25, 2015	Lease			Loan			Financed Service			Total
		Receivables			Receivables			Contracts and Other
	Gross	$	3,276		$	1,720		$	3,081		$	8,077
	Residual value	226			—			—			226
	Unearned income	(190		)	—			—			(190		)
	Allowance for credit loss	(242		)	(80		)	(37		)	(359		)
	Total, net	$	3,070		$	1,640		$	3,044		$	7,754
	Reported as:
	Current	$	1,424		$	820		$	2,004		$	4,248
	Noncurrent	1,646			820			1,040			3,506
	Total, net	$	3,070		$	1,640		$	3,044		$	7,754
	July 26, 2014	Lease			Loan			Financed Service			Total
		Receivables			Receivables			Contracts and Other
	Gross	$	3,532		$	1,683		$	3,210		$	8,425
	Residual value	233			—			—			233
	Unearned income	(238		)	—			—			(238		)
	Allowance for credit loss	(233		)	(98		)	(18		)	(349		)
	Total, net	$	3,294		$	1,585		$	3,192		$	8,071
	Reported as:
	Current	$	1,476		$	728		$	1,949		$	4,153
	Noncurrent	1,818			857			1,243			3,918
	Total, net	$	3,294		$	1,585		$	3,192		$	8,071
	As of April 25, 2015 and July 26, 2014, the deferred service revenue related to "Financed Service Contracts and Other" was $1,520 million and $1,843 million, respectively.
	Future minimum lease payments at April 25, 2015 are summarized as follows (in millions):
	Fiscal Year	Amount
	2015 (remaining three months)	$	498
	2016	1,349
	2017	857
	2018	406
	2019	146
	Thereafter	20
	Total	$	3,276
	Actual cash collections may differ from the contractual maturities due to early customer buyouts, refinancings, or defaults.
	(b)	Credit Quality of Financing Receivables
	Gross receivables less unearned income categorized by the Company’s internal credit risk rating as of April 25, 2015 and July 26, 2014 are summarized as follows (in millions):
		INTERNAL CREDIT RISK RATING
	April 25, 2015	1 to 4			5 to 6			7 and Higher			Total
	Lease receivables	$	1,590		$	1,371		$	125		$	3,086
	Loan receivables	755			816			149			1,720
	Financed service contracts and other	1,650			1,371			60			3,081
	Total	$	3,995		$	3,558		$	334		$	7,887
		INTERNAL CREDIT RISK RATING
	July 26, 2014	1 to 4			5 to 6			7 and Higher			Total
	Lease receivables	$	1,615		$	1,538		$	141		$	3,294
	Loan receivables	953			593			137			1,683
	Financed service contracts and other	1,744			1,367			99			3,210
	Total	$	4,312		$	3,498		$	377		$	8,187
	The Company determines the adequacy of its allowance for credit loss by assessing the risks and losses inherent in its financing receivables by portfolio segment. The portfolio segment is based on the types of financing offered by the Company to its customers, which consist of the following: lease receivables, loan receivables, and financed service contracts and other.
	The Company’s internal credit risk ratings of 1 through 4 correspond to investment-grade ratings, while credit risk ratings of 5 and 6 correspond to non-investment grade ratings. Credit risk ratings of 7 and higher correspond to substandard ratings.
	In circumstances when collectibility is not deemed reasonably assured, the associated revenue is deferred in accordance with the Company’s revenue recognition policies, and the related allowance for credit loss, if any, is included in deferred revenue. The Company also records deferred revenue associated with financing receivables when there are remaining performance obligations, as it does for financed service contracts. Total allowances for credit loss and deferred revenue as of April 25, 2015 and July 26, 2014 were $1,900 million and $2,220 million, respectively, and they were associated with total financing receivables before allowance for credit loss of $8,113 million and $8,420 million as of their respective period ends.
	The following tables present the aging analysis of gross receivables less unearned income as of April 25, 2015 and July 26, 2014 (in millions):
		DAYS PAST DUE
		(INCLUDES BILLED AND UNBILLED)
	25-Apr-15	31-60			61-90			91+			Total			Current		Total		Nonaccrual		Impaired
											Past Due							Financing		Financing
																		Receivables		Receivables
	Lease receivables	$	102		$	48		$	138		$	288		$	2,798	$	3,086	$	38	$	38
	Loan receivables	12			15			56			83			1,637		1,720		29		29
	Financed service contracts and other	99			88			309			496			2,585		3,081		32		12
Total	$	213		$	151		$	503		$	867		$	7,020	$	7,887	$	99	$	79
	DAYS PAST DUE
	(INCLUDES BILLED AND UNBILLED)
26-Jul-14	31-60			61-90			91+			Total			Current		Total		Nonaccrual		Impaired
										Past Due							Financing		Financing
																	Receivables		Receivables
Lease receivables	$	63		$	46		$	202		$	311		$	2,983	$	3,294	$	48	$	41
Loan receivables	3			21			27			51			1,632		1,683		19		19
Financed service contracts and other	268			230			220			718			2,492		3,210		12		9
Total	$	334		$	297		$	449		$	1,080		$	7,107	$	8,187	$	79	$	69
Past due financing receivables are those that are 31 days or more past due according to their contractual payment terms. The data in the preceding tables is presented by contract, and the aging classification of each contract is based on the oldest outstanding receivable, and therefore past due amounts also include unbilled and current receivables within the same contract. The balances of either unbilled or current financing receivables included in the category of 91 days plus past due for financing receivables were $361 million and $334 million as of April 25, 2015 and July 26, 2014, respectively.
As of April 25, 2015, the Company had financing receivables of $75 million, net of unbilled or current receivables from the same contract, that were in the category of 91 days plus past due but remained on accrual status. Such balance was $78 million as of July 26, 2014. A financing receivable may be placed on nonaccrual status earlier if, in management’s opinion, a timely collection of the full principal and interest becomes uncertain.
(c)	Allowance for Credit Loss Rollforward
The allowances for credit loss and the related financing receivables are summarized as follows (in millions):
	CREDIT LOSS ALLOWANCES
Three Months Ended April 25, 2015	Lease			Loan			Financed Service			Total
	Receivables			Receivables			Contracts and Other
Allowance for credit loss as of January 24, 2015	$	250		$	85		$	40		$	375
Provisions	(4		)	(5		)	(2		)	(11		)
Recoveries (write-offs), net	(1		)	—			—			(1		)
Foreign exchange and other	(3		)	—			(1		)	(4		)
Allowance for credit loss as of April 25, 2015	$	242		$	80		$	37		$	359
Financing receivables as of April 25, 2015 (1)	$	3,312		$	1,720		$	3,081		$	8,113
	CREDIT LOSS ALLOWANCES
Nine Months Ended April 25, 2015	Lease			Loan			Financed Service			Total
	Receivables			Receivables			Contracts and Other
Allowance for credit loss as of July 26, 2014	$	233		$	98		$	18		$	349
Provisions	25			(15		)	21			31
Recoveries (write-offs), net	(6		)	1			—			(5		)
Foreign exchange and other	(10		)	(4		)	(2		)	(16		)
Allowance for credit loss as of April 25, 2015	$	242		$	80		$	37		$	359
	CREDIT LOSS ALLOWANCES
Three Months Ended April 26, 2014	Lease			Loan			Financed Service			Total
	Receivables			Receivables			Contracts and Other
Allowance for credit loss as of January 25, 2014	$	254		$	98		$	22		$	374
Provisions	(6		)	(10		)	(2		)	(18		)
Recoveries (write-offs), net	(1		)	4			(1		)	2
Foreign exchange and other	2			—			—			2
Allowance for credit loss as of April 26, 2014	$	249		$	92		$	19		$	360
Financing receivables as of April 26, 2014 (1)	$	3,537		$	1,621		$	2,810		$	7,968
	CREDIT LOSS ALLOWANCES
Nine Months Ended April 26, 2014	Lease			Loan			Financed Service			Total
	Receivables			Receivables			Contracts and Other
Allowance for credit loss as of July 27, 2013	$	238		$	86		$	20		$	344
Provisions	9			5			—			14
Recoveries (write-offs), net	—			4			(1		)	3
Foreign exchange and other	2			(3		)	—			(1		)
Allowance for credit loss as of April 26, 2014	$	249		$	92		$	19		$	360
(1) Total financing receivables before allowance for credit loss.
The Company assesses the allowance for credit loss related to financing receivables on either an individual or a collective basis. The Company considers various factors in evaluating lease and loan receivables and the earned portion of financed service contracts for possible impairment on an individual basis. These factors include the Company’s historical experience, credit quality and age of the receivable balances, and economic conditions that may affect a customer’s ability to pay. When the evaluation indicates that it is probable that all amounts due pursuant to the contractual terms of the financing agreement, including scheduled interest payments, are unable to be collected, the financing receivable is considered impaired. All such outstanding amounts, including any accrued interest, will be assessed and fully reserved at the customer level. The Company’s internal credit risk ratings are categorized as 1 through 10, with the lowest credit risk rating representing the highest quality financing receivables.
Typically, the Company also considers receivables with a risk rating of 8 or higher to be impaired and will include them in the individual assessment for allowance. These balances, as of April 25, 2015 and July 26, 2014, are presented under “(b) Credit Quality of Financing Receivables” above.
The Company evaluates the remainder of its financing receivables portfolio for impairment on a collective basis and records an allowance for credit loss at the portfolio segment level. When evaluating the financing receivables on a collective basis, the Company uses expected default frequency rates published by a major third-party credit-rating agency as well as its own historical loss rate in the event of default, while also systematically giving effect to economic conditions, concentration of risk, and correlation.
(d)	Operating Leases
The Company provides financing of certain equipment through operating leases, and the amounts are included in property and equipment in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Amounts relating to equipment on operating lease assets and the associated accumulated depreciation are summarized as follows (in millions):
	April 25,			July 26,
	2015			2014
Operating lease assets	$	359		$	362
Accumulated depreciation	(195		)	(202		)
Operating lease assets, net	$	164		$	160
Minimum future rentals on noncancelable operating leases at April 25, 2015 were approximately $0.1 billion for the remaining three months of fiscal 2015, $0.2 billion for fiscal 2016, and less than $0.1 billion per year for each of fiscal 2017 through fiscal 2019.

Investments

Investments	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Investments
	8	Investments
	(a)	Summary of Available-for-Sale Investments
	The following tables summarize the Company’s available-for-sale investments (in millions):
	April 25, 2015	Amortized			Gross			Gross			Fair
		Cost			Unrealized			Unrealized			Value
					Gains			Losses
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. government securities	$	29,364		$	59		$	(1	)	$	29,422
	U.S. government agency securities	3,257			6			(1		)	3,262
	Non-U.S. government and agency securities	1,184			2			—			1,186
	Corporate debt securities	13,321			86			(13		)	13,394
	U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	1,346			16			—			1,362
	Total fixed income securities	48,472			169			(15		)	48,626
	Publicly traded equity securities	1,328			598			(3		)	1,923
	Total	$	49,800		$	767		$	(18	)	$	50,549
	July 26, 2014	Amortized			Gross			Gross			Fair
		Cost			Unrealized			Unrealized			Value
					Gains			Losses
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. government securities	$	31,717		$	29		$	(12	)	$	31,734
	U.S. government agency securities	1,062			1			—			1,063
	Non-U.S. government and agency securities	860			2			(1		)	861
	Corporate debt securities	9,092			74			(7		)	9,159
	U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	574			5			—			579
	Total fixed income securities	43,305			111			(20		)	43,396
	Publicly traded equity securities	1,314			648			(10		)	1,952
	Total	$	44,619		$	759		$	(30	)	$	45,348
	Non-U.S. government and agency securities include agency and corporate debt securities that are guaranteed by non-U.S. governments.
	(b)	Gains and Losses on Available-for-Sale Investments
	The following table presents the gross realized gains and gross realized losses related to the Company’s available-for-sale investments (in millions):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		April 25,			April 26,			April 25,			April 26,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
	Gross realized gains	$	55		$	75		$	168		$	267
	Gross realized losses	(11		)	(6		)	(48		)	(33		)
	Total	$	44		$	69		$	120		$	234
	The following table presents the realized net gains (losses) related to the Company’s available-for-sale investments by security type (in millions):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		April 25,			April 26,			April 25,			April 26,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
	Net gains on investments in publicly traded equity securities	$	38		$	55		$	94		$	199
	Net gains on investments in fixed income securities	6			14			26			35
	Total	$	44		$	69		$	120		$	234
	There were no impairment charges on available-for-sale investments for the nine months ended April 25, 2015. For the three months ended April 26, 2014, there were no impairment charges on available-for-sale investments. For the nine months ended April 26, 2014, the Company had impairment charges of $11 million for publicly traded equity securities, which were due to a decline in the fair value of those securities below their cost basis that were determined to be other than temporary.
	The following tables present the breakdown of the available-for-sale investments with gross unrealized losses and the duration that those losses had been unrealized at April 25, 2015 and July 26, 2014 (in millions):
		UNREALIZED LOSSES						UNREALIZED LOSSES						TOTAL
		LESS THAN 12 MONTHS						12 MONTHS OR GREATER
	April 25, 2015	Fair Value			Gross			Fair Value			Gross			Fair Value		Gross
					Unrealized						Unrealized					Unrealized
					Losses						Losses					Losses
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. government securities	$	4,096		$	(1	)	$	—		$	—		$	4,096	$	(1	)
	U.S. government agency securities	702			(1		)	—			—			702		(1		)
	Corporate debt securities	3,587			(12		)	157			(1		)	3,744		(13		)
	Total fixed income securities	8,385			(14		)	157			(1		)	8,542		(15		)
	Publicly traded equity securities	42			(3		)	1			—			43		(3		)
	Total	$	8,427		$	(17	)	$	158		$	(1	)	$	8,585	$	(18	)
		UNREALIZED LOSSES						UNREALIZED LOSSES						TOTAL
		LESS THAN 12 MONTHS						12 MONTHS OR GREATER
	July 26, 2014	Fair Value			Gross			Fair Value			Gross			Fair Value		Gross
					Unrealized						Unrealized					Unrealized
					Losses						Losses					Losses
	Fixed income securities:
U.S. government securities	$	7,676		$	(12	)	$	45		$	—		$	7,721	$	(12	)
Non-U.S. government and agency securities	361			(1		)	22			—			383		(1		)
Corporate debt securities	1,875			(3		)	491			(4		)	2,366		(7		)
Total fixed income securities	9,912			(16		)	558			(4		)	10,470		(20		)
Publicly traded equity securities	132			(10		)	—			—			132		(10		)
Total	$	10,044		$	(26	)	$	558		$	(4	)	$	10,602	$	(30	)
As of April 25, 2015, for fixed income securities that were in unrealized loss positions, the Company has determined that (i) it does not have the intent to sell any of these investments and (ii) it is not more likely than not that it will be required to sell any of these investments before recovery of the entire amortized cost basis. In addition, as of April 25, 2015, the Company anticipates that it will recover the entire amortized cost basis of such fixed income securities and has determined that no other-than-temporary impairments associated with credit losses were required to be recognized during the nine months ended April 25, 2015.
The Company has evaluated its publicly traded equity securities as of April 25, 2015 and has determined that there was no indication of other-than-temporary impairments in the respective categories of unrealized losses. This determination was based on several factors, which include the length of time and extent to which fair value has been less than the cost basis, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and the Company’s intent and ability to hold the publicly traded equity securities for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value.
(c)	Maturities of Fixed Income Securities
The following table summarizes the maturities of the Company’s fixed income securities at April 25, 2015 (in millions):
	Amortized Cost			Fair Value
Less than 1 year	$	16,322		$	16,332
Due in 1 to 2 years	14,969			15,006
Due in 2 to 5 years	15,610			15,697
Due after 5 years	1,571			1,591
Total	$	48,472		$	48,626
Actual maturities may differ from the contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay certain obligations. The remaining contractual principal maturities for mortgage-backed securities were allocated assuming no prepayments.
(d)	Securities Lending
The Company periodically engages in securities lending activities with certain of its investments. These transactions are accounted for as a secured lending of the securities, and the securities are typically loaned only on an overnight basis. The average daily balance of securities lending for the nine months ended April 25, 2015 and April 26, 2014 was $0.5 billion and $1.4 billion, respectively. The Company requires collateral equal to at least 102% of the fair market value of the loaned security and that the collateral be in the form of cash or liquid, high-quality assets. The Company engages in these secured lending transactions only with highly creditworthy counterparties, and the associated portfolio custodian has agreed to indemnify the Company against collateral losses. The Company did not experience any losses in connection with the secured lending of securities during the periods presented. As of April 25, 2015 and July 26, 2014, the Company had no outstanding securities lending transactions.
(e)	Investments in Privately Held Companies
The carrying value of the Company’s investments in privately held companies was included in other assets. For such investments that were accounted for under the equity and cost method as of April 25, 2015 and July 26, 2014, the amounts are summarized in the following table (in millions):
	April 25,			July 26,
	2015			2014
Equity method investments	$	561		$	630
Cost method investments	312			269
Total	$	873		$	899
Variable Interest Entities
VCE Joint Venture VCE is a joint venture formed in fiscal 2010 between the Company and EMC Corporation (“EMC”), with investments from VMware, Inc. (“VMware”) and Intel Capital Corporation ("Intel"). In October 2014, the Company, EMC, VMware, and Intel agreed to restructure VCE, and this transaction was completed in the second quarter of fiscal 2015. Prior to the restructuring, the Company’s cumulative gross investment in VCE was approximately $716 million inclusive of convertible notes and accrued interest on convertible notes. The Company recorded cumulative losses from VCE under the equity method of $691 million since inception. The Company ceased accounting for the VCE investment under the equity method in October 2014 and recorded no losses during the three months ended April 25, 2015, compared with losses of $52 million recorded for the three months ended April 26, 2014, and losses of $47 million and $163 million were recorded for the nine months ended April 25, 2015 and April 26, 2014, respectively. Under the terms of the restructuring, VCE paid $152 million to the Company for a portion of the outstanding principal balance of the convertible notes held by it and accrued interest on such notes, and the remaining principal balance of other such notes, and the accrued interest thereon, was cancelled. Pursuant to the restructuring, VCE also redeemed a portion of the Company’s equity interest in VCE, reducing the Company’s ownership interest in VCE from 35% prior to the restructuring to 10%.  In connection with this transaction, the Company has written this investment down to a book value of zero and has recognized a gain of $126 million for the nine months ended April 25, 2015.
Other Variable Interest Entities In the ordinary course of business, the Company has investments in other privately held companies and provides financing to certain customers. These other privately held companies and customers may be considered to be variable interest entities. The Company evaluates on an ongoing basis its investments in these other privately held companies and its customer financings and has determined that as of April 25, 2015 there were no other variable interest entities required to be consolidated in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

Fair_Value

Fair Value	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value
	9	Fair Value
	Fair value is defined as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required or permitted to be either recorded or disclosed at fair value, the Company considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact, and it also considers assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability.
	(a)	Fair Value Hierarchy
	The accounting guidance for fair value measurement requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The standard establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the level of independent, objective evidence surrounding the inputs used to measure fair value. A financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The fair value hierarchy is as follows:
	Level 1 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	Level 2 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets); or model-derived valuations in which significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.
	Level 3 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
	(b)	Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of April 25, 2015 and July 26, 2014 were as follows (in millions):
		25-Apr-15											JULY 26, 2014
		FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS											FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
		Level 1			Level 2		Level 3			Total			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
										Balance									Balance
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market funds	$	2,307		$	—	$	—		$	2,307		$	4,935	$	—	$	—	$	4,935
	Corporate debt securities	—			1		—			1			—		—		—		—
	Available-for-sale investments:
	U.S. government securities	—			29,422		—			29,422			—		31,734		—		31,734
	U.S. government agency securities	—			3,262		—			3,262			—		1,063		—		1,063
	Non-U.S. government and agency securities	—			1,186		—			1,186			—		861		—		861
	Corporate debt securities	—			13,394		—			13,394			—		9,159		—		9,159
	U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	—			1,362		—			1,362			—		579		—		579
	Publicly traded equity securities	1,923			—		—			1,923			1,952		—		—		1,952
	Derivative assets	—			275		1			276			—		158		2		160
	Total	$	4,230		$	48,902	$	1		$	53,133		$	6,887	$	43,554	$	2	$	50,443
	Liabilities:
	Derivative liabilities	$	—		$	131	$	—		$	131		$	—	$	67	$	—	$	67
	Total	$	—		$	131	$	—		$	131		$	—	$	67	$	—	$	67
	Level 1 publicly traded equity securities are determined by using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. Level 2 fixed income securities are priced using quoted market prices for similar instruments or nonbinding market prices that are corroborated by observable market data. The Company uses inputs such as actual trade data, benchmark yields, broker/dealer quotes, and other similar data, which are obtained from quoted market prices, independent pricing vendors, or other sources, to determine the ultimate fair value of these assets and liabilities. The Company uses such pricing data as the primary input to make its assessments and determinations as to the ultimate valuation of its investment portfolio and has not made, during the periods presented, any material adjustments to such inputs. The Company is ultimately responsible for the financial statements and underlying estimates. The Company’s derivative instruments are primarily classified as Level 2, as they are not actively traded and are valued using pricing models that use observable market inputs. The Company did not have any transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements during the periods presented.
	Level 3 assets include certain derivative instruments, the values of which are determined based on discounted cash flow models using inputs that the Company could not corroborate with market data.
	(c)	Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
	The following table presents the Company's assets that were measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during the indicated periods and the related recognized gains and losses for the periods indicated (in millions):
		LOSSES FOR THE					LOSSES FOR THE
		THREE MONTHS ENDED					NINE MONTHS ENDED
		April 25,			April 26,		April 25,			April 26,
		2015			2014		2015			2014
	Investments in privately held companies (impaired)	$	(17	)	$	—	$	(20	)	$	(10	)
	Purchased intangible assets (impaired)	(1		)	—		(57		)	—
	Property held for sale—land and buildings	(5		)	—		(5		)	—
	Total	$	(23	)	$	—	$	(82	)	$	(10	)
	These assets were measured at fair value due to events or circumstances the Company identified as having significant impact on their fair value during the respective periods. To arrive at the valuation of these assets, the Company considers any significant changes in the financial metrics and economic variables and also uses third-party valuation reports to assist in the valuation as necessary.
	The fair value measurement of the impaired investments was classified as Level 3 because significant unobservable inputs were used in the valuation due to the absence of quoted market prices and inherent lack of liquidity. Significant unobservable inputs, which included financial metrics of comparable private and public companies, financial condition and near-term prospects of the investees, recent financing activities of the investees, and the investees’ capital structure as well as other economic variables, reflected the assumptions market participants would use in pricing these assets. The impairment charges, representing the difference between the net book value and the fair value as a result of the evaluation, were recorded to other income (loss), net. The remaining carrying value of the investments that were impaired was $4 million as of April 25, 2015.
	The fair value for purchased intangibles for which the carrying amount was not deemed to be recoverable was determined using the future discounted cash flows that the assets are expected to generate. The difference between the estimated fair value and the carrying value of the assets was recorded as an impairment charge, which was included in product cost of sales and operating expenses as applicable. See Note 4. The remaining carrying value of the specific purchased intangible assets that were impaired was zero as of April 25, 2015.
	The fair value of property held for sale was measured with the assistance of third-party valuation models which used discounted cash flow techniques as part of their analysis. The fair value measurement was categorized as Level 3, as significant unobservable inputs were used in the valuation report. The impairment charges as a result of the valuations, which represented the difference between the fair value less cost to sell and the carrying amount of the assets held for sale, were included in G&A expenses. The remaining carrying value of property held for sale was $11 million as of April 25, 2015.
	(d)	Other Fair Value Disclosures
	The carrying value of the Company’s investments in privately held companies that were accounted for under the cost method was $312 million and $269 million as of April 25, 2015 and July 26, 2014, respectively. It was not practicable to estimate the fair value of this portfolio.
	The fair value of the Company’s short-term loan receivables and financed service contracts approximates their carrying value due to their short duration. The aggregate carrying value of the Company’s long-term loan receivables and financed service contracts and other as of April 25, 2015 and July 26, 2014 was $1.9 billion and $2.1 billion, respectively. The estimated fair value of the Company’s long-term loan receivables and financed service contracts and other approximates their carrying value. The Company uses significant unobservable inputs in determining discounted cash flows to estimate the fair value of its long-term loan receivables and financed service contracts, and therefore they are categorized as Level 3.
	As of April 25, 2015, the estimated fair value of the short-term debt approximates its carrying value due to the short maturities. As of April 25, 2015, the fair value of the Company’s senior notes and other long-term debt was $22.2 billion with a carrying amount of $20.5 billion. This compares to a fair value of $22.4 billion and a carrying amount of $20.9 billion as of July 26, 2014. The fair value of the senior notes and other long-term debt was determined based on observable market prices in a less active market and was categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Borrowings

Borrowings	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Borrowings
	10	Borrowings
	(a)	Short-Term Debt
	The following table summarizes the Company’s short-term debt (in millions, except percentages):
		April 25, 2015							July 26, 2014
		Amount				Effective Rate			Amount				Effective Rate
	Current portion of long-term debt	$	3,914			2.47	%		$	500			3.11	%
	Commercial paper	500				0.16	%		—				—
	Other short-term debt	4				2.62	%		8				2.67	%
	Total	$	4,418						$	508
	The effective interest rate on the current portion of long-term debt includes the impact of interest rate swaps, as discussed further in "(b) Long-Term Debt." Other notes and borrowings consist of the short-term portion of secured borrowings associated with customer financing arrangements. These notes and credit facilities were subject to various terms and foreign currency market interest rates pursuant to individual financial arrangements between the financing institution and the applicable foreign subsidiary.
	On November 17, 2014, upon the maturity of the Company’s 2014 Fixed-Rate Notes (2.90%), the Company repaid an aggregate principal amount of $500 million.
	In fiscal 2011, the Company established a short-term debt financing program of up to $3.0 billion through the issuance of commercial paper notes. The Company uses the proceeds from the issuance of commercial paper notes for general corporate purposes. The outstanding commercial paper notes as of April 25, 2015 had original maturity dates of three months or less.
	(b)	Long-Term Debt
	The following table summarizes the Company’s long-term debt (in millions, except percentages):
				April 25, 2015						July 26, 2014
		Maturity Date		Amount				Effective Rate		Amount				Effective Rate
	Senior notes:
	Floating-rate notes:
	Three-month LIBOR plus 0.05%	September 3, 2015		$	850			0.41%		$	850			0.35%
	Three-month LIBOR plus 0.28%	March 3, 2017		1,000				0.61%		1,000				0.56%
	Three-month LIBOR plus 0.50%	March 1, 2019		500				0.82%		500				0.78%
	Fixed-rate notes:
	2.90%	November 17, 2014		—				—		500				3.11%
	5.50%	February 22, 2016		3,000				3.06%		3,000				3.04%
	1.10%	March 3, 2017		2,400				0.58%		2,400				0.56%
	3.15%	March 14, 2017		750				0.83%		750				0.79%
	4.95%	February 15, 2019		2,000				4.69%		2,000				4.69%
	2.13%	March 1, 2019		1,750				0.79%		1,750				0.77%
	4.45%	January 15, 2020		2,500				3.00%		2,500				2.98%
	2.90%	March 4, 2021		500				0.95%		500				0.93%
	3.62%	March 4, 2024		1,000				1.07%		1,000				1.05%
	5.90%	February 15, 2039		2,000				6.11%		2,000				6.11%
	5.50%	January 15, 2040		2,000				5.67%		2,000				5.67%
	Other long-term debt			1				2.08%		4				2.39%
	Total			20,251						20,754
	Unaccreted discount			(59		)				(63		)
	Hedge accounting fair value adjustments			308						210
	Total			$	20,500					$	20,901
	Reported as:
	Current portion of long-term debt			$	3,914					$	500
	Long-term debt			16,586						20,401
	Total			$	20,500					$	20,901
	To achieve its interest rate risk management objectives, the Company entered into interest rate swaps in prior periods with an aggregate notional amount of $10.4 billion designated as fair value hedges of certain of its fixed-rate senior notes. In effect, these swaps convert the fixed interest rates of the fixed-rate notes to floating interest rates based on the London InterBank Offered Rate (LIBOR). The gains and losses related to changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps substantially offset changes in the fair value of the hedged portion of the underlying debt that are attributable to the changes in market interest rates. For additional information, see Note 11.
	The effective rates for the fixed-rate debt include the interest on the notes, the accretion of the discount, and, if applicable, adjustments related to hedging. Interest is payable semiannually on each class of the senior fixed-rate notes and payable quarterly on the floating-rate notes. Each of the senior fixed-rate notes is redeemable by the Company at any time, subject to a make-whole premium.
	The senior notes rank at par with the commercial paper notes that may be issued in the future pursuant to the Company’s short-term debt financing program, as discussed above under “(a) Short-Term Debt.” As of April 25, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants.
	As of April 25, 2015, future principal payments for long-term debt, including the current portion, are summarized as follows (in millions):
	Fiscal Year	Amount
	2015 (remaining three months)	$	—
	2016	3,850
	2017	4,151
	2018	—
	2019	4,250
	Thereafter	8,000
	Total	$	20,251
	(c)	Credit Facility
	On May 15, 2015, the Company entered into a credit agreement with certain institutional lenders that provides for a $3.0 billion unsecured revolving credit facility that is scheduled to expire on May 15, 2020. Any advances under the credit agreement will accrue interest at rates that are equal to, based on certain conditions, either (i) the highest of (a) the Federal Funds rate plus 0.50%, (b) Bank of America’s “prime rate” as announced from time to time, or (c) LIBOR or a comparable or successor rate which rate is approved by the Administrative Agent (“Eurocurrency Rate”) for an interest period of one-month plus 1.00%, or (ii) the Eurocurrency Rate, plus a margin that is based on the Company’s senior debt credit ratings as published by Standard & Poor’s Financial Services, LLC and Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., provided that in no event will the Eurocurrency Rate be less than zero. The credit agreement requires the Company to comply with certain covenants, including that it maintain an interest coverage ratio as defined in the agreement.
	The Company may also, upon the agreement of either the then-existing lenders or additional lenders not currently parties to the agreement, increase the commitments under the credit facility by up to an additional $2.0 billion and/or extend the expiration date of the credit facility up to May 15, 2022. The Company was in compliance with the required interest coverage ratio and the other covenants, and the Company had not borrowed any funds under the credit facility.
	This credit facility replaces the Company’s prior credit facility that was entered into on February 17, 2012, which was terminated in connection with its entering into the new credit facility.

Derivative_Instruments

Derivative Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments
	11	Derivative Instruments
	(a)	Summary of Derivative Instruments
	The Company uses derivative instruments primarily to manage exposures to foreign currency exchange rate, interest rate, and equity price risks. The Company’s primary objective in holding derivatives is to reduce the volatility of earnings and cash flows associated with changes in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates, and equity prices. The Company’s derivatives expose it to credit risk to the extent that the counterparties may be unable to meet the terms of the agreement. The Company does, however, seek to mitigate such risks by limiting its counterparties to major financial institutions. In addition, the potential risk of loss with any one counterparty resulting from this type of credit risk is monitored. Management does not expect material losses as a result of defaults by counterparties.
	The fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments and the line items on the Consolidated Balance Sheets to which they were recorded are summarized as follows (in millions):
		DERIVATIVE ASSETS										DERIVATIVE LIABILITIES
		Balance Sheet Line Item		April 25,				July 26,				Balance Sheet Line Item		April 25,				July 26,
				2015				2014						2015				2014
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign currency derivatives	Other current assets		$	1			$	7			Other current liabilities		$	48			$	6
	Interest rate derivatives	Other assets		270				148				Other long-term liabilities		—				3
	Equity derivatives	Other current assets		—				—				Other current liabilities		76				56
	Total			271				155						124				65
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign currency derivatives	Other current assets		4				3				Other current liabilities		7				2
	Equity derivatives	Other assets		1				2				Other long-term liabilities		—				—
	Total			5				5						7				2
	Total			$	276			$	160					$	131			$	67
	The effects of the Company’s cash flow and net investment hedging instruments on other comprehensive income (OCI) and the Consolidated Statements of Operations are summarized as follows (in millions):
	GAINS (LOSSES) RECOGNIZED										GAINS (LOSSES) RECLASSIFIED FROM
	IN OCI ON DERIVATIVES FOR THE										AOCI INTO INCOME FOR THE
	THREE MONTHS ENDED (EFFECTIVE PORTION)										THREE MONTHS ENDED (EFFECTIVE PORTION)
			April 25,				April 26,				Line Item in		April 25,				April 26,
			2015				2014				Statements of Operations		2015				2014
	Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments:
	Foreign currency derivatives		$	(32	)		$	13			Operating expenses		$	(50	)		$	13
											Cost of sales—service		(14		)		3
	Total		$	(32	)		$	13					$	(64	)		$	16
	Derivatives designated as net investment hedging instruments:
	Foreign currency derivatives		$	2			$	(10	)		Other income (loss), net		$	—			$	—
	GAINS (LOSSES) RECOGNIZED										GAINS (LOSSES) RECLASSIFIED FROM
	IN OCI ON DERIVATIVES FOR THE										AOCI INTO INCOME FOR THE
	NINE MONTHS ENDED (EFFECTIVE PORTION)										NINE MONTHS ENDED (EFFECTIVE PORTION)
			April 25,				April 26,				Line Item in		April 25,				April 26,
			2015				2014				Statements of Operations		2015				2014
	Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments:
	Foreign currency derivatives		$	(163	)		$	47			Operating expenses		$	(74	)		$	36
											Cost of sales—service		(20		)		8
	Total		$	(163	)		$	47					$	(94	)		$	44
	Derivatives designated as net investment hedging instruments:
	Foreign currency derivatives		$	46			$	(13	)		Other income (loss), net		$	—			$	—
	As of April 25, 2015, the Company estimates that approximately $69 million of net derivative losses related to its cash flow hedges included in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) will be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months when the underlying hedged item impacts earnings.
	The effect on the Consolidated Statements of Operations of derivative instruments designated as fair value hedges and the underlying hedged items is summarized as follows (in millions):
					GAINS (LOSSES) ON								GAINS (LOSSES)
					DERIVATIVE								RELATED TO HEDGED
					INSTRUMENTS FOR THE								ITEMS FOR THE
					THREE MONTHS ENDED								THREE MONTHS ENDED
	Derivatives Designated as Fair Value Hedging Instruments		Line Item in Statements of Operations		April 25,				April 26,				April 25,				April 26,
					2015				2014				2015				2014
	Equity derivatives		Other income (loss), net		$	(8	)		$	(8	)		$	8			$	8
	Interest rate derivatives		Interest expense		(9		)		8				9				(8		)
	Total				$	(17	)		$	—			$	17			$	—
					GAINS (LOSSES) ON								GAINS (LOSSES)
					DERIVATIVE								RELATED TO HEDGED
					INSTRUMENTS FOR THE								ITEMS FOR THE
					NINE MONTHS ENDED								NINE MONTHS ENDED
	Derivatives Designated as		Line Item in Statements of Operations		April 25,				April 26,				April 25,				April 26,
	Fair Value Hedging Instruments				2015				2014				2015				2014
	Equity derivatives		Other income (loss), net		$	(20	)		$	(55	)		$	20			$	55
	Interest rate derivatives		Interest expense		122				(27		)		(125		)		26
	Total				$	102			$	(82	)		$	(105	)		$	81
	The effect on the Consolidated Statements of Operations of derivative instruments not designated as hedges is summarized as follows (in millions):
					GAINS (LOSSES) FOR THE								GAINS (LOSSES) FOR THE
					THREE MONTHS ENDED								NINE MONTHS ENDED
Derivatives Not Designated as		Line Item in Statements of Operations		April 25,				April 26,				April 25,				April 26,
Hedging Instruments				2015				2014				2015				2014
Foreign currency derivatives		Other income (loss), net		$	(56	)		$	36			$	(165	)		$	16
Total return swaps—deferred compensation		Operating expenses		23				4				23				33
Equity derivatives		Other income (loss), net		6				9				10				33
Total				$	(27	)		$	49			$	(132	)		$	82
The notional amounts of the Company’s outstanding derivatives are summarized as follows (in millions):
	April 25,				July 26,
	2015				2014
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign currency derivatives—cash flow hedges	$	654			$	1,618
Interest rate derivatives	10,400				10,400
Net investment hedging instruments	188				345
Equity derivatives	238				238
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign currency derivatives	2,187				2,528
Total return swaps—deferred compensation	473				428
Total	$	14,140			$	15,557
(b)	Offsetting of Derivative Instruments
The Company presents its derivative instruments at gross fair values in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. However, the Company’s master netting and other similar arrangements with the respective counterparties allow for net settlement under certain conditions, which are designed to reduce credit risk by permitting net settlement with the same counterparty. To further limit credit risk, the Company also enters into collateral security arrangements related to certain derivative instruments whereby cash is posted as collateral between the counterparties based on the fair market value of the derivative instrument. Information related to these offsetting arrangements is summarized as follows (in millions):
	April 25, 2015
	Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets												Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets,
													but with Legal Rights to Offset
	Gross Amounts Recognized				Gross Amounts Offset				Net Amounts Presented				Gross Derivative Amounts				Cash Collateral			Net Amount
Derivatives assets	$	276			$	—			$	276			$	(59	)		$	(159	)	$	58
Derivatives liabilities	$	131			$	—			$	131			$	(59	)		$	—		$	72
	July 26, 2014
	Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets												Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets,
													but with Legal Rights to Offset
	Gross Amounts Recognized				Gross Amounts Offset				Net Amounts Presented				Gross Derivative Amounts				Cash Collateral			Net Amount
Derivatives assets	$	160			$	—			$	160			$	(39	)		$	(60	)	$	61
Derivatives liabilities	$	67			$	—			$	67			$	(39	)		$	(1	)	$	27
(c)	Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
The Company conducts business globally in numerous currencies. Therefore, it is exposed to adverse movements in foreign currency exchange rates. To limit the exposure related to foreign currency changes, the Company enters into foreign currency contracts. The Company does not enter into such contracts for trading purposes.
The Company hedges forecasted foreign currency transactions related to certain operating expenses and service cost of sales with currency options and forward contracts. These currency options and forward contracts, designated as cash flow hedges, generally have maturities of less than 18 months. The Company assesses effectiveness based on changes in total fair value of the derivatives. The effective portion of the derivative instrument’s gain or loss is initially reported as a component of AOCI and subsequently reclassified into earnings when the hedged exposure affects earnings. The ineffective portion, if any, of the gain or loss is reported in earnings immediately. During the periods presented, the Company did not discontinue any cash flow hedges for which it was probable that a forecasted transaction would not occur.
The Company enters into foreign exchange forward and option contracts to reduce the short-term effects of foreign currency fluctuations on assets and liabilities such as foreign currency receivables, including long-term customer financings, investments, and payables. These derivatives are not designated as hedging instruments. Gains and losses on the contracts are included in other income (loss), net, and substantially offset foreign exchange gains and losses from the remeasurement of intercompany balances or other current assets, investments, or liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the reporting entity.
The Company hedges certain net investments in its foreign operations with forward contracts to reduce the effects of foreign currency fluctuations on the Company’s net investment in those foreign subsidiaries. These derivative instruments generally have maturities of up to six months.
(d)	Interest Rate Risk
Interest Rate Derivatives, Investments   The Company’s primary objective for holding fixed income securities is to achieve an appropriate investment return consistent with preserving principal and managing risk. To realize these objectives, the Company may utilize interest rate swaps or other derivatives designated as fair value or cash flow hedges. As of April 25, 2015 and July 26, 2014, the Company did not have any outstanding interest rate derivatives related to its fixed income securities.
Interest Rate Derivatives Designated as Fair Value Hedge, Long-Term Debt   In fiscal 2014 and 2013, the Company entered into interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges related to fixed-rate senior notes that are due on various dates from 2017 through 2024. In the periods prior to fiscal 2013, the Company entered into interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges related to fixed-rate senior notes that are due in 2016 and 2017. Under these interest rate swaps, the Company receives fixed-rate interest payments and makes interest payments based on LIBOR plus a fixed number of basis points. The effect of such swaps is to convert the fixed interest rates of the senior fixed-rate notes to floating interest rates based on LIBOR. The gains and losses related to changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps are included in interest expense and substantially offset changes in the fair value of the hedged portion of the underlying debt that are attributable to the changes in market interest rates. The fair value of the interest rate swaps was reflected in other assets and other long-term liabilities.
(e)	Equity Price Risk
The Company may hold equity securities for strategic purposes or to diversify its overall investment portfolio. The publicly traded equity securities in the Company’s portfolio are subject to price risk. To manage its exposure to changes in the fair value of certain equity securities, the Company has entered into equity derivatives that are designated as fair value hedges. The changes in the value of the hedging instruments are included in other income (loss), net, and offset the change in the fair value of the underlying hedged investment. In addition, the Company periodically enters into equity derivatives that are not designated as accounting hedges. The changes in the fair value of these derivatives are also included in other income (loss), net.
The Company is also exposed to variability in compensation charges related to certain deferred compensation obligations to employees.  Although not designated as accounting hedges, the Company utilizes derivatives such as total return swaps to economically hedge this exposure.
(f)	Hedge Effectiveness
For the periods presented, amounts excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness were not material for fair value, cash flow, and net investment hedges. In addition, hedge ineffectiveness for fair value, cash flow, and net investment hedges was not material for any of the periods presented.
(g)	Collateral and Credit-Risk-Related Contingent Features
For certain derivative instruments, the Company and its counterparties have entered into arrangements requiring the party that is in a liability position from a mark-to-market standpoint to post cash collateral to the other party. See further discussion under “(b) Offsetting of Derivative Instruments” above.
In addition, certain derivative instruments are executed under agreements that have provisions requiring the Company and the counterparty to maintain a specified credit rating from certain credit-rating agencies. Under such agreements, if the Company’s or the counterparty’s credit rating falls below a specified credit rating, either party has the right to request collateral on the derivatives’ net liability position. No such derivatives were in a net liability position as of April 25, 2015. The fair market value of such derivatives was $3 million as of July 26, 2014.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies
	12	Commitments and Contingencies
	(a)	Operating Leases
	The Company leases office space in many U.S. locations. Outside the United States, larger leased sites include sites in Belgium, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Israel, Japan, Norway, and the United Kingdom. The Company also leases equipment and vehicles. Future minimum lease payments under all noncancelable operating leases with an initial term in excess of one year as of April 25, 2015 are as follows (in millions):
	Fiscal Year	Amount
	2015 (remaining three months)	$	97
	2016	304
	2017	210
	2018	153
	2019	85
	Thereafter	228
	Total	$	1,077
	(b)	Purchase Commitments with Contract Manufacturers and Suppliers
	The Company purchases components from a variety of suppliers and uses several contract manufacturers to provide manufacturing services for its products. During the normal course of business, in order to manage manufacturing lead times and help ensure adequate component supply, the Company enters into agreements with contract manufacturers and suppliers that allow them to either procure inventory based upon criteria as defined by the Company or establish the parameters defining the Company’s requirements. A significant portion of the Company’s reported purchase commitments arising from these agreements consists of firm, noncancelable, and unconditional commitments. In certain instances, these agreements allow the Company the option to cancel, reschedule, and adjust the Company’s requirements based on its business needs prior to firm orders being placed. As of April 25, 2015 and July 26, 2014, the Company had total purchase commitments for inventory of $4,495 million and $4,169 million, respectively.
	The Company records a liability for firm, noncancelable, and unconditional purchase commitments for quantities in excess of its future demand forecasts consistent with the valuation of the Company’s excess and obsolete inventory. As of April 25, 2015 and July 26, 2014, the liability for these purchase commitments was $153 million and $162 million, respectively, and was included in other current liabilities.
	(c)	Other Commitments
	In connection with the Company’s business combinations, the Company has agreed to pay certain additional amounts contingent upon the achievement of certain agreed-upon technology, development, product, or other milestones or upon the continued employment with the Company of certain employees of the acquired entities.
	The following table summarizes the compensation expense related to acquisitions (in millions):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		April 25,			April 26,			April 25,		April 26,
		2015			2014			2015		2014
	Compensation expense related to acquisitions	$	72		$	95		$	264	$	505
	As of April 25, 2015, the Company estimated that future cash compensation expense of up to $366 million may be required to be recognized pursuant to the applicable business combination agreements, which included the remaining potential compensation expense related to Insieme Networks, Inc., as more fully discussed immediately below.
	Insieme Networks, Inc. In the third quarter of fiscal 2012, the Company made an investment in Insieme Networks, Inc. ("Insieme"), an early stage company focused on research and development in the data center market. As set forth in the agreement between the Company and Insieme, this investment included $100 million of funding and a license to certain of the Company’s technology. Immediately prior to the call option exercise and acquisition described below, the Company owned approximately 83% of Insieme as a result of these investments and consolidated the results of Insieme in its Consolidated Financial Statements. In connection with this investment, the Company and Insieme entered into a put/call option agreement that provided the Company with the right to purchase the remaining interests in Insieme. In addition, the noncontrolling interest holders could require the Company to purchase their shares upon the occurrence of certain events.
	During the first quarter of fiscal 2014, the Company exercised its call option and entered into an agreement to purchase the remaining interests in Insieme. The acquisition closed in the second quarter of fiscal 2014, at which time the former noncontrolling interest holders became eligible to receive up to two milestone payments, which will be determined using agreed-upon formulas based primarily on revenue for certain of Insieme’s products. The Company recorded compensation expense of $51 million and $52 million during the three months ended April 25, 2015 and April 26, 2014, respectively, and $155 million and $363 million during the nine months ended April 25, 2015 and April 26, 2014, respectively, related to the fair value of the vested portion of amounts that are expected to be earned by the former noncontrolling interest holders. Continued vesting and changes to the fair value of the amounts probable of being earned will result in adjustments to the recorded compensation expense in future periods. Based on the terms of the agreement, the Company has determined that the maximum amount that could be recorded as compensation expense by the Company is approximately $843 million (which includes the $571 million that has been expensed to date), net of forfeitures. The milestone payments, if earned, are expected to be paid primarily during fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2017.
	The Company also has certain funding commitments, primarily related to its investments in privately held companies and venture funds, some of which are based on the achievement of certain agreed-upon milestones, and some of which are required to be funded on demand. The funding commitments were $247 million and $255 million as of April 25, 2015 and July 26, 2014, respectively.
	(d)	Product Warranties
	The following table summarizes the activity related to the product warranty liability (in millions):
		Nine Months Ended
		April 25,			April 26,
		2015			2014
	Balance at beginning of period	$	446		$	402
	Provision for warranties issued	517			532
	Payments	(512		)	(504		)
	Balance at end of period	$	451		$	430
	The Company accrues for warranty costs as part of its cost of sales based on associated material product costs, labor costs for technical support staff, and associated overhead. The Company’s products are generally covered by a warranty for periods ranging from 90 days to five years, and for some products the Company provides a limited lifetime warranty.
	(e)	Financing and Other Guarantees
	In the ordinary course of business, the Company provides financing guarantees for various third-party financing arrangements extended to channel partners and end-user customers. Payments under these financing guarantee arrangements were not material for the periods presented.
	Channel Partner Financing Guarantees   The Company facilitates arrangements for third-party financing extended to channel partners, consisting of revolving short-term financing, generally with payment terms ranging from 60 to 90 days. These financing arrangements facilitate the working capital requirements of the channel partners, and, in some cases, the Company guarantees a portion of these arrangements. The volume of channel partner financing was $6.3 billion and $5.8 billion for the three months ended April 25, 2015 and April 26, 2014, respectively. The volume of channel partner financing was $19.0 billion and $17.9 billion for the nine months ended April 25, 2015 and April 26, 2014, respectively. The balance of the channel partner financing subject to guarantees was $1.2 billion as of each April 25, 2015 and July 26, 2014.
	End-User Financing Guarantees   The Company also provides financing guarantees for third-party financing arrangements extended to end-user customers related to leases and loans, which typically have terms of up to three years. The volume of financing provided by third parties for leases and loans as to which the Company had provided guarantees was $22 million and $44 million for the three months ended April 25, 2015 and April 26, 2014, respectively, and was $87 million and $89 million for the nine months ended April 25, 2015 and April 26, 2014, respectively.
	Financing Guarantee Summary   The aggregate amounts of financing guarantees outstanding at April 25, 2015 and July 26, 2014, representing the total maximum potential future payments under financing arrangements with third parties along with the related deferred revenue, are summarized in the following table (in millions):
		April 25,			July 26,
		2015			2014
	Maximum potential future payments relating to financing guarantees:
	Channel partner	$	299		$	263
	End user	138			202
	Total	$	437		$	465
	Deferred revenue associated with financing guarantees:
	Channel partner	$	(122	)	$	(127	)
	End user	(113		)	(166		)
	Total	$	(235	)	$	(293	)
	Maximum potential future payments relating to financing guarantees, net of associated deferred revenue	$	202		$	172
	Other Guarantees The Company’s other guarantee arrangements as of April 25, 2015 and July 26, 2014 that were subject to recognition and disclosure requirements were not material.
	(f)	Supplier Component Remediation Liability
	The Company has recorded in other current liabilities a liability for the expected remediation cost for certain products sold in prior fiscal years containing memory components manufactured by a single supplier between 2005 and 2010. These components are widely used across the industry and are included in a number of the Company's products. Defects in some of these components have caused products to fail after a power cycle event.  Defect rates due to this issue have been and are expected to be low. However, the Company has seen a small number of its customers experience a growing number of failures in their networks as a result of this component problem. Although the majority of these products are beyond the Company's warranty terms, the Company is proactively working with customers on mitigation. Prior to the second quarter of fiscal 2014, the Company had a liability of $63 million related to this issue for expected remediation costs based on the intended approach at that time. In February 2014, on the basis of the growing number of failures described above, the Company decided to expand its approach, which resulted in a charge to product cost of sales of $655 million being recorded for the second quarter of fiscal 2014. During the third quarter of fiscal 2015, an adjustment of $164 million was recorded, which was a reduction to the liability to reflect net lower than estimated future costs to remediate the impacted customer products. The supplier component remediation liability as of April 25, 2015 and July 26, 2014 was $426 million and $670 million, respectively.
	(g)	Indemnifications
	In the normal course of business, the Company indemnifies other parties, including customers, lessors, and parties to other transactions with the Company, with respect to certain matters. The Company has agreed to hold such parties harmless against losses arising from a breach of representations or covenants or out of intellectual property infringement or other claims made against certain parties. These agreements may limit the time within which an indemnification claim can be made and the amount of the claim.
	The Company has an obligation to indemnify certain expenses pursuant to such an agreement in, among other cases, a case involving certain of the Company’s service provider customers that are subject to patent infringement claims asserted by Sprint Communications Company, L.P. (“Sprint”) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas filed on December 19, 2011 (including one case that was later transferred to the District of Delaware). Sprint alleges that the service providers infringe Sprint’s patents by offering Voice over Internet Protocol-based telephone services utilizing products provided by the Company and other manufacturers. Sprint is seeking monetary damages. Trial dates have been set for the first half of calendar year 2016 in the case proceeding in the District of Kansas. The trial in Delaware is scheduled for February 2017. The parties conducted mediations, and the Company participated through a mediation involving a service provider customer. Those particular mediations did not resolve the parties’ disputes, but the parties plan to engage in additional dispute resolution efforts, including participation by the Company. The Company believes that the service providers have strong defenses and that its products do not infringe the patents subject to the claims and/or that the patents are invalid. Due to the uncertainty surrounding the litigation process, which involves numerous defendants, the Company is unable to reasonably estimate the ultimate outcome of this litigation at this time. Should the plaintiff prevail in litigation, mediation, or settlement, the Company, in accordance with its agreement, may have an obligation to indemnify its service provider customers for damages, mediation awards, or settlement amounts arising from their use of Cisco products.
	In addition, the Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its officers and directors, and the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws contain similar indemnification obligations to the Company’s agents.
	It is not possible to determine the maximum potential amount under these indemnification agreements due to the Company’s limited history with prior indemnification claims and the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular agreement. Historically, payments made by the Company under these agreements have not had a material effect on the Company’s operating results, financial position, or cash flows.
	(h)	Legal Proceedings
	Brazil Brazilian authorities have investigated the Company’s Brazilian subsidiary and certain of its current and former employees, as well as a Brazilian importer of the Company’s products, and its affiliates and employees, relating to alleged evasion of import taxes and alleged improper transactions involving the subsidiary and the importer. Brazilian tax authorities have assessed claims against the Company’s Brazilian subsidiary based on a theory of joint liability with the Brazilian importer for import taxes, interest, and penalties. In addition to claims asserted by the Brazilian federal tax authorities in prior fiscal years, tax authorities from the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo have asserted similar claims on the same legal basis in prior fiscal years. In the first quarter of fiscal 2013, the Brazilian federal tax authorities asserted an additional claim against the Company’s Brazilian subsidiary based on a theory of joint liability with respect to an alleged underpayment of income taxes, social taxes, interest, and penalties by a Brazilian distributor.
	The asserted claims by Brazilian federal tax authorities are for calendar years 2003 through 2008, and the asserted claims by the tax authorities from the state of Sao Paulo are for calendar years 2005 through 2007. The total asserted claims by Brazilian state and federal tax authorities aggregate to approximately $291 million for the alleged evasion of import and other taxes, approximately $1.1 billion for interest, and approximately $1.3 billion for various penalties, all determined using an exchange rate as of April 25, 2015. The Company has completed a thorough review of the matters and believes the asserted claims against the Company’s Brazilian subsidiary are without merit, and the Company is defending the claims vigorously. While the Company believes there is no legal basis for the alleged liability, due to the complexities and uncertainty surrounding the judicial process in Brazil and the nature of the claims asserting joint liability with the importer, the Company is unable to determine the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome against its Brazilian subsidiary and is unable to reasonably estimate a range of loss, if any. The Company does not expect a final judicial determination for several years.
	Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States At the request of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the U.S. Department of Justice, the Company is conducting an investigation into allegations which the Company and those agencies received regarding possible violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act involving business activities of the Company's operations in Russia and certain of the Commonwealth of Independent States, and by certain resellers of the Company’s products in those countries.  The Company takes any such allegations very seriously and is fully cooperating with and sharing the results of its investigation with the SEC and the Department of Justice.  While the outcome of the Company's investigation is currently not determinable, the Company does not expect that it will have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. The countries that are the subject of the investigation collectively comprise less than 2% of the Company’s revenues.
Rockstar The Company and some of its service provider customers were subject to patent claims asserted in December 2013 in the Eastern District of Texas and the District of Delaware by subsidiaries of the Rockstar Consortium (“Rockstar”). Rockstar, whose members include Apple, Microsoft, LM Ericsson, Sony, and Blackberry, had purchased a portfolio of patents out of the Nortel Networks’ bankruptcy proceedings (the “Nortel Portfolio”). In connection with this matter, during the first quarter of fiscal 2015 the Company recorded a charge to product cost of sales of $188 million.
In December 2014, RPX Corporation (“RPX”) and Rockstar entered into an agreement, which closed on January 28, 2015, resulting in over 30 technology companies, including the Company and the various service provider customers described above, obtaining a license to the patents owned by Rockstar. The Company paid approximately $300 million in connection with this transaction, with the payment recorded against the amount previously reserved and as an intangible asset to be amortized over its estimated useful life. In connection with the closing of the transaction, Rockstar dismissed all litigation it had brought against the participating companies.
In addition, the Company is subject to legal proceedings, claims, and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business, including intellectual property litigation. While the outcome of these matters is currently not determinable, the Company does not expect that the ultimate costs to resolve these matters will have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

Shareholders_Equity

Shareholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Shareholders' Equity
	13	Shareholders’ Equity
	(a)	Cash Dividends on Shares of Common Stock
	During the nine months ended April 25, 2015, the Company declared and paid cash dividends of $0.59 per common share, or $3.0 billion, on the Company’s outstanding common stock. During the nine months ended April 26, 2014, the Company declared and paid cash dividends of $0.53 per common share, or $2.8 billion, on the Company’s outstanding common stock.
	Any future dividends will be subject to the approval of the Company's Board of Directors.
	(b)	Stock Repurchase Program
	In September 2001, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program. As of April 25, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors had authorized an aggregate repurchase of up to $97 billion of common stock under this program, and the remaining authorized repurchase amount was $5.3 billion, with no termination date. A summary of the stock repurchase activity under the stock repurchase program, reported based on the trade date, is summarized as follows (in millions, except per-share amounts):
		Shares	Weighted-		Amount
		Repurchased	Average Price		Repurchased
			per Share
	Cumulative balance at July 26, 2014	4,288	$	20.63	$	88,445
	Repurchase of common stock under the stock repurchase program (1)	120	26.81		3,229
	Cumulative balance at April 25, 2015	4,408	$	20.8	$	91,674
	(1) Includes stock repurchases of $30 million, which were pending settlement as of April 25, 2015. There were $126 million of stock repurchases that were pending settlement as of July 26, 2014.
	The purchase price for the shares of the Company’s stock repurchased is reflected as a reduction to shareholders’ equity. The Company is required to allocate the purchase price of the repurchased shares as (i) a reduction to retained earnings and (ii) a reduction of common stock and additional paid-in capital. Issuance of common stock and the tax benefit related to employee stock incentive plans are recorded as an increase to common stock and additional paid-in capital.
	(c)	Restricted Stock Unit Withholdings
	For the nine months ended April 25, 2015 and April 26, 2014, the Company repurchased approximately 17 million and 14 million shares, or $415 million and $345 million, of common stock, respectively, in settlement of employee tax withholding obligations due upon the vesting of restricted stock or stock units.

Employee_Benefit_Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plans
	14	Employee Benefit Plans
	(a)	Employee Stock Incentive Plans
	Stock Incentive Plan Program Description    As of April 25, 2015, the Company had four stock incentive plans: the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2005 Plan”); the 1996 Stock Incentive Plan (the “1996 Plan”); the Cisco Systems, Inc. SA Acquisition Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “SA Acquisition Plan”); and the Cisco Systems, Inc. WebEx Acquisition Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “WebEx Acquisition Plan”). In addition, the Company has, in connection with the acquisitions of various companies, assumed the share-based awards granted under stock incentive plans of the acquired companies or issued share-based awards in replacement thereof. Share-based awards are designed to reward employees for their long-term contributions to the Company and provide incentives for them to remain with the Company. The number and frequency of share-based awards are based on competitive practices, operating results of the Company, government regulations, and other factors. Since the inception of the stock incentive plans, the Company has granted share-based awards to a significant percentage of its employees, and the majority has been granted to employees below the vice president level. The Company’s primary stock incentive plans are summarized as follows:
	2005 Plan    As of April 25, 2015, the maximum number of shares issuable under the 2005 Plan over its term was 694 million shares, plus the number of any shares underlying awards outstanding on November 15, 2007 under the 1996 Plan, the SA Acquisition Plan, and the WebEx Acquisition Plan that are forfeited or are terminated for any other reason before being exercised or settled. If any awards granted under the 2005 Plan are forfeited or are terminated for any other reason before being exercised or settled, the unexercised or unsettled shares underlying the awards will again be available under the 2005 Plan. Starting November 19, 2013, shares withheld by the Company from an award other than a stock option or stock appreciation right to satisfy withholding tax liabilities resulting from such award will again be available for issuance, based on the fungible share ratio in effect on the date of grant.
	Pursuant to an amendment approved by the Company’s shareholders on November 12, 2009, the number of shares available for issuance under the 2005 Plan is reduced by 1.5 shares for each share awarded as a stock grant or a stock unit, and any shares underlying awards outstanding under the 1996 Plan, the SA Acquisition Plan, and the WebEx Acquisition Plan that expire unexercised at the end of their maximum terms become available for reissuance under the 2005 Plan. The 2005 Plan permits the granting of stock options, restricted stock, and restricted stock units (RSUs), the vesting of which may be performance-based or market-based along with the requisite service requirement, and stock appreciation rights to employees (including employee directors and officers), consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates, and non-employee directors of the Company. Stock options and stock appreciation rights granted under the 2005 Plan have an exercise price of at least 100% of the fair market value of the underlying stock on the grant date and prior to November 12, 2009 have an expiration date no later than nine years from the grant date. The expiration date for stock options and stock appreciation rights granted subsequent to the amendment approved on November 12, 2009 shall be no later than 10 years from the grant date.
	The stock options will generally become exercisable for 20% or 25% of the option shares one year from the date of grant and then ratably over the following 48 months or 36 months, respectively. Time-based stock grants and time-based RSUs will generally vest with respect to 20% or 25% of the shares or share units covered by the grant on each of the first through fifth or fourth anniversaries of the date of the grant, respectively. The majority of the performance-based and market-based RSUs vest at the end of the three-year requisite service period or earlier if the award recipient meets certain retirement eligibility conditions. Other performance-based RSUs, that are based on the achievement of financial and/or non-financial operating goals, typically vest upon the achievement of milestones (and may require subsequent service periods), with overall vesting ranging from six months to three years. The Compensation and Management Development Committee of the Board of Directors has the discretion to use different vesting schedules. Stock appreciation rights may be awarded in combination with stock options or stock grants, and such awards shall provide that the stock appreciation rights will not be exercisable unless the related stock options or stock grants are forfeited. Stock grants may be awarded in combination with non-statutory stock options, and such awards may provide that the stock grants will be forfeited in the event that the related non-statutory stock options are exercised.
	1996 Plan   The 1996 Plan expired on December 31, 2006, and the Company can no longer make equity awards under the 1996 Plan. The maximum number of shares issuable over the term of the 1996 Plan was 2.5 billion shares. Stock options granted under the 1996 Plan have an exercise price of at least 100% of the fair market value of the underlying stock on the grant date and expire no later than nine years from the grant date. The stock options generally became exercisable for 20% or 25% of the option shares one year from the date of grant and then ratably over the following 48 months or 36 months, respectively. Certain other grants utilized a 60-month ratable vesting schedule. In addition, the Board of Directors, or other committees administering the 1996 Plan, had the discretion to use a different vesting schedule and did so from time to time.
	Acquisition Plans In connection with the Company’s acquisitions of Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. (“Scientific-Atlanta”) and WebEx Communications, Inc. (“WebEx”), the Company adopted the SA Acquisition Plan and the WebEx Acquisition Plan, respectively, each effective upon completion of the applicable acquisition. These plans constitute assumptions, amendments, restatements, and renamings of the 2003 Long-Term Incentive Plan of Scientific-Atlanta and the WebEx Communications, Inc. Amended and Restated 2000 Stock Incentive Plan, respectively. The plans permit the grant of stock options, stock, stock units, and stock appreciation rights to certain employees of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates who had been employed by Scientific-Atlanta or its subsidiaries or WebEx or its subsidiaries, as applicable. As a result of the shareholder approval of the amendment and extension of the 2005 Plan, as of November 15, 2007, the Company will no longer make stock option grants or direct share issuances under either the SA Acquisition Plan or the WebEx Acquisition Plan.
	(b)	Employee Stock Purchase Plan
	The Company has an Employee Stock Purchase Plan, which includes its subplan named the International Employee Stock Purchase Plan (together, the “Purchase Plan”), under which 621 million shares of the Company’s common stock have been reserved for issuance as of April 25, 2015. Eligible employees are offered shares through a 24-month offering period, which consists of four consecutive 6-month purchase periods.  Employees may purchase a limited number of shares of the Company’s stock at a discount of up to 15% of the lesser of the market value at the beginning of the offering period or the end of each 6-month purchase period.  The Purchase Plan is scheduled to terminate on January 3, 2020.  The Company issued 14 million shares under the Purchase Plan during each of the nine months ended April 25, 2015 and April 26, 2014. As of April 25, 2015, 161 million shares were available for issuance under the Purchase Plan.
	(c)	Summary of Share-Based Compensation Expense
	Share-based compensation expense consists primarily of expenses for stock options, stock purchase rights, restricted stock, and restricted stock units granted to employees. The following table summarizes share-based compensation expense (in millions):
		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		April 25,				April 26,				April 25,				April 26,
		2015				2014				2015				2014
	Cost of sales—product	$	12			$	12			$	34			$	34
	Cost of sales—service	44				39				115				112
	Share-based compensation expense in cost of sales	56				51				149				146
	Research and development	114				106				338				306
	Sales and marketing	147				144				408				408
	General and administrative	50				52				151				153
	Restructuring and other charges	—				—				(2		)		(4		)
	Share-based compensation expense in operating expenses	311				302				895				863
	Total share-based compensation expense	$	367			$	353			$	1,044			$	1,009
	Income tax benefit for share-based compensation	$	88			$	86			$	267			$	246
	As of April 25, 2015, the total compensation cost related to unvested share-based awards not yet recognized was $2.4 billion, which is expected to be recognized over approximately 2.5 years on a weighted-average basis.
	(d)	Share-Based Awards Available for Grant
	A summary of share-based awards available for grant is as follows (in millions):
		Share-Based
		Awards Available
		for Grant
	BALANCE AT JULY 27, 2013	228
	Restricted stock, stock units, and other share-based awards granted	(98	)
	Share-based awards canceled/forfeited/expired	36
	Additional shares reserved	135
	Shares withheld for taxes and not issued	6
	Other	3
	BALANCE AT JULY 26, 2014	310
	Restricted stock, stock units, and other share-based awards granted	(79	)
	Share-based awards canceled/forfeited/expired	33
	Shares withheld for taxes and not issued	23
	Other	(2	)
	BALANCE AT APRIL 25, 2015	285
	As reflected in the preceding table, for each share awarded as restricted stock or subject to a restricted stock unit award under the 2005 Plan, an equivalent of 1.5 shares was deducted from the available share-based award balance. For restricted stock units that were awarded with vesting contingent upon the achievement of future financial performance or market-based metrics, the maximum awards that can be achieved upon full vesting of such awards were reflected in the preceding table.
	(e)	Restricted Stock and Stock Unit Awards
	A summary of the restricted stock and stock unit activity, which includes time-based and performance-based or market-based restricted stock units, is as follows (in millions, except per-share amounts):
		Restricted Stock/			Weighted-Average				Aggregated Fair
		Stock Units			Grant Date Fair				Market Value
					Value per Share
	UNVESTED BALANCE AT JULY 27, 2013	143			$	18.8
	Granted and assumed	72			20.85
	Vested	(53	)		19.55				$	1,229
	Canceled/forfeited	(13	)		18.61
	UNVESTED BALANCE AT JULY 26, 2014	149			19.54
	Granted and assumed	52			24.68
	Vested	(46	)		19.57				$	1,191
	Canceled/forfeited	(14	)		19.91
	UNVESTED BALANCE AT APRIL 25, 2015	141			$	21.4
	(f)	Stock Option Awards
	A summary of the stock option activity is as follows (in millions, except per-share amounts):
		STOCK OPTIONS OUTSTANDING
		Number			Weighted-Average
		Outstanding			Exercise Price per Share
BALANCE AT JULY 27, 2013	276			$	24.44
Assumed from acquisitions	6			3.6
Exercised	(78	)		18.3
Canceled/forfeited/expired	(17	)		27.53
BALANCE AT JULY 26, 2014	187			26.03
Assumed from acquisitions	1			2.72
Exercised	(64	)		21.05
Canceled/forfeited/expired	(12	)		29.55
BALANCE AT APRIL 25, 2015	112			$	28.26
The following table summarizes significant ranges of outstanding and exercisable stock options as of April 25, 2015 (in millions, except years and share prices):
		STOCK OPTIONS OUTSTANDING													STOCK OPTIONS EXERCISABLE
Range of Exercise Prices		Number			Weighted-		Weighted-				Aggregate				Number	Weighted-		Aggregate
		Outstanding			Average		Average				Intrinsic				Exercisable	Average		Intrinsic
					Remaining		Exercise				Value					Exercise		Value
					Contractual		Price per									Price per
					Life		Share									Share
					(in Years)
$   0.01 – 20.00		5			4.6		$	6.46			$	116			4	$	8.51	$	69
$ 20.01 – 25.00		24			0.6		22.99				140				24	22.99		140
$ 25.01 – 30.00		15			1.3		26.79				33				15	26.79		33
$ 30.01 – 35.00		68			1.3		32.16				—				68	32.16		—
Total		112			1.3		$	28.26			$	289			111	$	28.68	$	242
The aggregate intrinsic value in the preceding table represents the total pretax intrinsic value, based on the Company’s closing stock price of $28.82 as of April 24, 2015, that would have been received by the option holders had those option holders exercised their stock options as of that date. The total number of in-the-money stock options exercisable as of April 25, 2015 was 41 million. As of July 26, 2014, 183 million outstanding stock options were exercisable, and the weighted-average exercise price was $26.50.
(g)	Valuation of Employee Share-Based Awards
Time-based restricted stock units and performance-based restricted stock units (PRSUs) that are based on the Company’s financial performance metrics or non-financial operating goals are valued using the market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant, discounted for the present value of expected dividends. On the date of grant, the Company estimated the fair value of the total shareholder return (TSR) component of the PRSUs using a Monte Carlo simulation model. The assumptions for the valuation of time-based RSUs and PRSUs are summarized as follows:
	RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS								PERFORMANCE
									RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
Three Months Ended	April 25, 2015				April 26, 2014				April 25, 2015				April 26, 2014
Number of shares granted (in millions)	33				6				1				2
Grant date fair value per share	$	25.31			$	19.95			$	25.87			$	19.85
Weighted-average assumptions/inputs:
Expected dividend yield	2.8		%		3.1		%		3		%		3.5		%
Range of risk-free interest rates	0.0% – 1.4%				0.0% – 1.7%				0.0% – 1.4%				0.1% – 1.7%
Range of expected volatilities for index	N/A				N/A				N/A				N/A
	RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS								PERFORMANCE
									RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
Nine Months Ended	April 25, 2015				April 26, 2014				April 25, 2015				April 26, 2014
Number of shares granted (in millions)	44				53				8				6
Grant date fair value per share	$	24.83			$	20.5			$	23.97			$	21.73
Weighted-average assumptions/inputs:
Expected dividend yield	2.9		%		3.1		%		3		%		2.7		%
Range of risk-free interest rates	0.0% – 1.8%				0.0% – 1.7%				0.0% – 1.8%				0.0% – 1.7%
Range of expected volatilities for index	N/A				N/A				14.4% – 70.0%				17.4% – 70.5%
The PRSUs granted during the periods presented are contingent on the achievement of the Company’s financial performance metrics, its comparative market-based returns, or the achievement of financial and non-financial operating goals. For the awards based on financial performance metrics or comparative market-based returns, generally 50% of the PRSUs are earned based on the average of annual operating cash flow and earnings per share goals established at the beginning of each fiscal year over a three-year performance period. Generally, the remaining 50% of the PRSUs are earned based on the Company’s TSR measured against the benchmark TSR of a peer group over the same period. Each PRSU recipient could vest in 0% to 150% of the target shares granted contingent on the achievement of the Company's financial performance metrics or its comparative market-based returns and 0% to 100% of the target shares granted contingent on the achievement of non-financial operating goals.

Comprehensive_Income

Comprehensive Income	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Comprehensive Income
	15	Comprehensive Income
	The components of AOCI, net of tax, and the other comprehensive income (loss), excluding noncontrolling interest, for the nine months ended April 25, 2015 and April 26, 2014 are summarized as follows (in millions):
		Net Unrealized Gains on Investments				Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) Cash Flow Hedging Instruments			Cumulative Translation Adjustment and Actuarial Gains (Losses)				Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	BALANCE AT JULY 26, 2014	$	424			$	(12	)	$	265			$	677
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications attributable to Cisco Systems, Inc.	111				(163		)	(473		)		(525		)
	(Gains) losses reclassified out of AOCI	(120		)		94			—				(26		)
	Tax benefit (expense)	8				3			50				61
	BALANCE AT APRIL 25, 2015	$	423			$	(78	)	$	(158	)		$	187
		Net Unrealized Gains on Investments				Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) Cash Flow Hedging Instruments			Cumulative Translation Adjustment and Actuarial Gains (Losses)				Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	BALANCE AT JULY 27, 2013	$	379			$	8		$	221			$	608
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications attributable to Cisco Systems, Inc.	339				46			32				417
	(Gains) losses reclassified out of AOCI	(234		)		(44		)	—				(278		)
	Tax benefit (expense)	(43		)		(2		)	(5		)		(50		)
	BALANCE AT APRIL 26, 2014	$	441			$	8		$	248			$	697
	The net gains (losses) reclassified out of other comprehensive income into the Consolidated Statements of Operations, with line item location, during each period were as follows (in millions):
			Three Months Ended							Nine Months Ended
			April 25,				April 26,			April 25,				April 26,
			2015				2014			2015				2014
	Comprehensive Income Components		Income Before Taxes							Income Before Taxes						Line Item in Statements of Operations
	Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale investments:
			$	44			$	69		$	120			$	234	Other income (loss), net
	Net unrealized gains and (losses) on cash flow hedging instruments:
	Foreign currency derivatives		(50		)		13			(74		)		36		Operating expenses
	Foreign currency derivatives		(14		)		3			(20		)		8		Cost of sales—service
			(64		)		16			(94		)		44
	Total amounts reclassified out of AOCI		$	(20	)		$	85		$	26			$	278

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes
	16	Income Taxes
	The following table provides details of income taxes (in millions, except percentages):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		April 25,			April 26,			April 25,			April 26,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
	Income before provision for income taxes	$	3,035		$	2,642		$	8,268		$	6,937
	Provision for income taxes	$	598		$	461		$	1,606		$	1,331
	Effective tax rate	19.7		%	17.4		%	19.4		%	19.2		%
	During the nine months ended April 25, 2015, the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 reinstated the U.S. federal R&D tax credit for calendar year 2014 R&D expenses.  As a result, the effective tax rate for the nine months ended April 25, 2015 reflected tax benefits related to fiscal 2015 R&D expenses and a tax benefit of $91 million related to fiscal 2014 R&D expenses.
	As of April 25, 2015, the Company had $2.0 billion of unrecognized tax benefits, of which $1.8 billion, if recognized, would favorably impact the effective tax rate. The Company regularly engages in discussions and negotiations with tax authorities regarding tax matters in various jurisdictions. The Company believes it is reasonably possible that certain federal, foreign, and state tax matters may be concluded in the next 12 months. Specific positions that may be resolved include issues involving transfer pricing and various other matters. Accordingly, the Company estimates that it is reasonably possible that the unrecognized tax benefits at April 25, 2015 could be reduced in the next 12 months by approximately $900 million, a portion of which could increase earnings.

Segment_Information_and_Major_

Segment Information and Major Customers	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information and Major Customers
	17	Segment Information and Major Customers
	(a)	Revenue and Gross Margin by Segment
	The Company conducts business globally and is primarily managed on a geographic basis consisting of three segments: the Americas, EMEA, and APJC. The Company’s management makes financial decisions and allocates resources based on the information it receives from its internal management system. Sales are attributed to a segment based on the ordering location of the customer. The Company does not allocate research and development, sales and marketing, or general and administrative expenses to its segments in this internal management system because management does not include the information in its measurement of the performance of the operating segments. In addition, the Company does not allocate amortization and impairment of acquisition-related intangible assets, share-based compensation expense, significant litigation and other contingencies, impacts to cost of sales from purchase accounting adjustments to inventory, charges related to asset impairments and restructurings, and certain other charges to the gross margin for each segment because management does not include this information in its measurement of the performance of the operating segments.
	Summarized financial information by segment for the three and nine months ended April 25, 2015 and April 26, 2014, based on the Company’s internal management system and as utilized by the Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker ("CODM"), is as follows (in millions):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		April 25,			April 26,			April 25,			April 26,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
	Revenue:
	Americas	$	7,252		$	6,689		$	21,854		$	20,465
	EMEA	3,119			3,068			9,212			8,897
	APJC	1,766			1,788			5,252			5,423
	Total	$	12,137		$	11,545		$	36,318		$	34,785
	Gross margin:
	Americas	$	4,560		$	4,196		$	13,776		$	12,823
	EMEA	1,949			1,967			5,774			5,725
	APJC	1,080			1,076			3,157			3,148
	Segment total	7,589			7,239			22,707			21,696
	Unallocated corporate items	(64		)	(233		)	(759		)	(1,332		)
	Total	$	7,525		$	7,006		$	21,948		$	20,364
	Revenue in the United States was $6.4 billion and $5.9 billion for the three months ended April 25, 2015 and April 26, 2014, respectively, and was $19.1 billion and $17.9 billion for the nine months ended April 25, 2015 and April 26, 2014, respectively.
	(b)	Revenue for Groups of Similar Products and Services
	The Company designs, manufactures, and sells Internet Protocol (IP)-based networking and other products related to the communications and IT industry and provides services associated with these products and their use. The Company groups its products and technologies into the following categories: Switching, NGN Routing, Collaboration, Service Provider Video, Data Center, Wireless, Security, and Other Products. These products, primarily integrated by Cisco IOS Software, link geographically dispersed local-area networks (LANs), metropolitan-area networks (MANs), and wide-area networks (WANs).
	The following table presents revenue for groups of similar products and services (in millions):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		April 25,			April 26,			April 25,			April 26,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
	Revenue:
	Switching	$	3,560		$	3,368		$	11,022		$	10,366
	NGN Routing	1,999			1,925			5,712			5,681
	Collaboration	973			909			2,912			2,859
	Service Provider Video	914			961			2,561			2,905
	Data Center	801			662			2,340			1,868
	Wireless	611			560			1,827			1,624
	Security	412			361			1,283			1,119
	Other	56			74			182			218
	Product	9,326			8,820			27,839			26,640
	Service	2,811			2,725			8,479			8,145
	Total	$	12,137		$	11,545		$	36,318		$	34,785
	The Company has made certain reclassifications to the product revenue amounts for prior periods to conform to the current period’s presentation.
	(c)	Additional Segment Information
	The majority of the Company’s assets, excluding cash and cash equivalents and investments, as of April 25, 2015 and July 26, 2014 were attributable to its U.S. operations. The Company’s total cash and cash equivalents and investments held by various foreign subsidiaries were $51.8 billion and $47.4 billion as of April 25, 2015 and July 26, 2014, respectively, and the remaining $2.6 billion and $4.7 billion at the respective period ends were available in the United States.
	Property and equipment information is based on the physical location of the assets. The following table presents property and equipment information for geographic areas (in millions):
		April 25,			July 26,
		2015			2014
	Property and equipment, net:
	United States	$	2,709		$	2,697
	International	567			555
	Total	$	3,276		$	3,252

Net_Income_per_Share

Net Income per Share	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Income per Share
	18	Net Income per Share
	The following table presents the calculation of basic and diluted net income per share (in millions, except per-share amounts):
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		April 25,		April 26,		April 25,		April 26,
		2015		2014		2015		2014
	Net income	$	2,437	$	2,181	$	6,662	$	5,606
	Weighted-average shares—basic	5,102		5,143		5,110		5,271
	Effect of dilutive potential common shares	46		37		44		40
	Weighted-average shares—diluted	5,148		5,180		5,154		5,311
	Net income per share—basic	$	0.48	$	0.42	$	1.3	$	1.06
	Net income per share—diluted	$	0.47	$	0.42	$	1.29	$	1.06
	Antidilutive employee share-based awards, excluded	75		240		156		331
	Employee equity share options, unvested shares, and similar equity instruments granted by the Company are treated as potential common shares outstanding in computing diluted earnings per share. Diluted shares outstanding include the dilutive effect of in-the-money options, unvested restricted stock, and restricted stock units. The dilutive effect of such equity awards is calculated based on the average share price for each fiscal period using the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, the amount the employee must pay for exercising stock options, the amount of compensation cost for future service that the Company has not yet recognized, and the amount of tax benefits that would be recorded in additional paid-in capital when the award becomes deductible are collectively assumed to be used to repurchase shares.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
New Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted	New Accounting Updates Recently Adopted
	In March 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued an accounting standard update requiring an entity to release into net income the entire amount of a cumulative translation adjustment related to its investment in a foreign entity when as a parent it sells either a part or all of its investment in the foreign entity or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets within the foreign entity. This accounting standard update became effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2015. The application of this accounting standard update did not have any impact to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued an accounting standard update that provides explicit guidance on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward or a tax credit carryforward exists. Under the new standard update, an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, is to be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward or a tax credit carryforward. This accounting standard update became effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 and applied prospectively. The application of this accounting standard update did not have a material impact to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standard update that changes the criteria for reporting discontinued operations. This accounting standard update raises the threshold for a disposal transaction to qualify as a discontinued operation and requires additional disclosures about discontinued operations and disposals of individually significant components that do not qualify as discontinued operations. The Company adopted this accounting standard update in the second quarter of fiscal 2015, and it did not have any impact upon adoption.
Recent Accounting Standards or Updates Not Yet Effective	Recent Accounting Standards or Updates Not Yet Effective
	In May 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standard update related to revenue from contracts with customers, which will supersede nearly all current U.S. GAAP guidance on this topic and eliminate industry-specific guidance. The underlying principle is to recognize revenue when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that is expected to be received for those goods or services. This accounting standard update will be effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. The new revenue standard may be applied retrospectively to each prior period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect recognized as of the date of adoption.  Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this accounting standard update on its Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In February 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standard update that changes the analysis that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. The accounting standard update will be effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this accounting standard update on its Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standard update requiring debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt, consistent with debt discounts. The accounting standard update will be effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 on a retrospective basis, with early adoption permitted. The accounting standard update is a change in balance sheet presentation only and is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.
Fair Value Measurement, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Fair value is defined as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required or permitted to be either recorded or disclosed at fair value, the Company considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact, and it also considers assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability.
	(a)	Fair Value Hierarchy
	The accounting guidance for fair value measurement requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The standard establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the level of independent, objective evidence surrounding the inputs used to measure fair value. A financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The fair value hierarchy is as follows:
	Level 1 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	Level 2 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets); or model-derived valuations in which significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.
	Level 3 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

Supplemental_Information_Table

Supplemental Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Stock Repurchases Since Inception Of Program	The stock repurchases since the inception of this program and the related impacts on Cisco shareholders’ equity are summarized in the following table (in millions):
		Shares of	Common Stock		Retained		Total Cisco
		Common	and Additional		Earnings		Shareholders’
		Stock	Paid-In Capital				Equity
	Repurchases of common stock under the repurchase program	4,408	$	22,318	$	69,356	$	91,674

Business_Combinations_Tables

Business Combinations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition	A summary of the allocation of the total purchase consideration is presented as follows (in millions):
		Purchase Consideration		Net Liabilities Assumed			Purchased Intangible Assets		Goodwill
	Metacloud, Inc.	$	149	$	(7	)	$	29	$	127
	All others (three in total)	93		(10		)	46		57
	Total	$	242	$	(17	)	$	75	$	184

Goodwill_and_Purchased_Intangi1

Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill By Reportable Segment	Goodwill
	The following table presents the goodwill allocated to the Company’s reportable segments as of and during the nine months ended April 25, 2015 (in millions):
		Balance at July 26, 2014				Acquisitions				Other			Balance at April 25, 2015
	Americas	$	15,080			$	99			$	(13	)	$	15,166
	EMEA	5,715				67				(7		)	5,775
	APJC	3,444				18				(5		)	3,457
	Total	$	24,239			$	184			$	(25	)	$	24,398
	The column entitled “Other” primarily includes purchase accounting adjustments.
Schedule Of Intangible Assets Acquired Through Business Combinations	Purchased Intangible Assets
	The following table presents details of the Company’s intangible assets acquired through business combinations completed during the nine months ended April 25, 2015 (in millions, except years):
		FINITE LIVES											INDEFINITE		TOTAL
													LIVES
		TECHNOLOGY						CUSTOMER					IPR&D
								RELATIONSHIPS
		Weighted-		Amount				Weighted-		Amount			Amount		Amount
		Average Useful						Average Useful
		Life (in Years)						Life (in Years)
	Metacloud, Inc.	3		$	24			5		$	3		$	2	$	29
	All others (three in total)	4.7		31				8.1		11			4		46
	Total			$	55					$	14		$	6	$	75
Schedule Of Purchased Intangible Assets	The following tables present details of the Company’s purchased intangible assets (in millions):
	April 25, 2015		Gross				Accumulated Amortization				Net
	Purchased intangible assets with finite lives:
	Technology		$	3,456			$	(1,742	)		$	1,714
	Customer relationships		1,709				(915		)		794
	Other		51				(22		)		29
	Total purchased intangible assets with finite lives		5,216				(2,679		)		2,537
	In-process research and development, with indefinite lives		89				—				89
	Total		$	5,305			$	(2,679	)		$	2,626
	July 26, 2014		Gross				Accumulated Amortization				Net
	Purchased intangible assets with finite lives:
	Technology		$	4,100			$	(1,976	)		$	2,124
	Customer relationships		1,706				(720		)		986
	Other		51				(13		)		38
	Total purchased intangible assets with finite lives		5,857				(2,709		)		3,148
	In-process research and development, with indefinite lives		132				—				132
	Total		$	5,989			$	(2,709	)		$	3,280
Schedule Of Amortization Of Purchased Intangible Assets	The following table presents the amortization of purchased intangible assets (in millions):
		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		April 25,				April 26,				April 25,			April 26,
		2015				2014				2015			2014
	Amortization of purchased intangible assets:
	Cost of sales	$	187			$	190			$	618		$	553
	Operating expenses	70				71				213			207
	Total	$	257			$	261			$	831		$	760
Schedule Of Estimated Future Amortization Expense Of Purchased Intangible Assets	The estimated future amortization expense of purchased intangible assets with finite lives as of April 25, 2015 is as follows (in millions):
	Fiscal Year	Amount
	2015 (remaining three months)	$	223
	2016	763
	2017	590
	2018	448
	2019	345
	Thereafter	168
	Total	$	2,537

Restructuring_and_Other_Charge1

Restructuring and Other Charges (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Restructuring Charges [Abstract]
Liabilities Related To Restructuring And Other Charges	The following table summarizes the activities related to the restructuring and other charges as discussed above (in millions):
		Fiscal 2014 and Prior Plans						Fiscal 2015 Plan
		Employee			Other			Employee			Other			Total
		Severance						Severance
	Liability as of July 26, 2014	$	40		$	29		$	—		$	—		$	69
	Gross charges in fiscal 2015	—			—			405			6			411
	Cash payments	(26		)	(10		)	(381		)	(3		)	(420		)
	Non-cash items	—			—			(2		)	4			2
	Liability as of April 25, 2015	$	14		$	19		$	22		$	7		$	62

Balance_Sheet_Details_Tables

Balance Sheet Details (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Inventories	The following tables provide details of selected balance sheet items (in millions):
		April 25,			July 26,
		2015			2014
	Inventories:
	Raw materials	$	264		$	77
	Work in process	2			5
	Finished goods:
	Distributor inventory and deferred cost of sales	635			595
	Manufactured finished goods	547			606
	Total finished goods	1,182			1,201
	Service-related spares	268			273
	Demonstration systems	44			35
	Total	$	1,760		$	1,591
Property And Equipment, Net
	Property and equipment, net:
	Gross property and equipment:
	Land, buildings, and building and leasehold improvements	$	4,465		$	4,468
	Computer equipment and related software	1,344			1,425
	Production, engineering, and other equipment	5,795			5,756
	Operating lease assets	359			362
	Furniture and fixtures	498			509
	Total gross property and equipment	12,461			12,520
	Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	(9,185		)	(9,268		)
	Total	$	3,276		$	3,252
Other Assets
	Other assets:
	Deferred tax assets	$	1,437		$	1,700
	Investments in privately held companies	873			899
	Other	765			732
	Total	$	3,075		$	3,331
Deferred Revenue
	Deferred revenue:
	Service	$	9,236		$	9,640
	Product:
	Unrecognized revenue on product shipments and other deferred revenue	4,258			3,924
	Cash receipts related to unrecognized revenue from two-tier distributors	687			578
	Total product deferred revenue	4,945			4,502
	Total	$	14,181		$	14,142
	Reported as:
	Current	$	9,371		$	9,478
	Noncurrent	4,810			4,664
	Total	$	14,181		$	14,142

Financing_Receivables_and_Oper1

Financing Receivables and Operating Leases (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Financing Receivables	A summary of the Company's financing receivables is presented as follows (in millions):
	April 25, 2015	Lease			Loan			Financed Service			Total
		Receivables			Receivables			Contracts and Other
	Gross	$	3,276		$	1,720		$	3,081		$	8,077
	Residual value	226			—			—			226
	Unearned income	(190		)	—			—			(190		)
	Allowance for credit loss	(242		)	(80		)	(37		)	(359		)
	Total, net	$	3,070		$	1,640		$	3,044		$	7,754
	Reported as:
	Current	$	1,424		$	820		$	2,004		$	4,248
	Noncurrent	1,646			820			1,040			3,506
	Total, net	$	3,070		$	1,640		$	3,044		$	7,754
	July 26, 2014	Lease			Loan			Financed Service			Total
		Receivables			Receivables			Contracts and Other
	Gross	$	3,532		$	1,683		$	3,210		$	8,425
	Residual value	233			—			—			233
	Unearned income	(238		)	—			—			(238		)
	Allowance for credit loss	(233		)	(98		)	(18		)	(349		)
	Total, net	$	3,294		$	1,585		$	3,192		$	8,071
	Reported as:
	Current	$	1,476		$	728		$	1,949		$	4,153
	Noncurrent	1,818			857			1,243			3,918
	Total, net	$	3,294		$	1,585		$	3,192		$	8,071
Contractual Maturities Of The Gross Lease Receivables	Future minimum lease payments at April 25, 2015 are summarized as follows (in millions):
	Fiscal Year	Amount
	2015 (remaining three months)	$	498
	2016	1,349
	2017	857
	2018	406
	2019	146
	Thereafter	20
	Total	$	3,276
Schedule Of Internal Credit Risk Rating For Each Portfolio Segment And Class	Gross receivables less unearned income categorized by the Company’s internal credit risk rating as of April 25, 2015 and July 26, 2014 are summarized as follows (in millions):
		INTERNAL CREDIT RISK RATING
	April 25, 2015	1 to 4			5 to 6			7 and Higher			Total
	Lease receivables	$	1,590		$	1,371		$	125		$	3,086
	Loan receivables	755			816			149			1,720
	Financed service contracts and other	1,650			1,371			60			3,081
	Total	$	3,995		$	3,558		$	334		$	7,887
		INTERNAL CREDIT RISK RATING
	July 26, 2014	1 to 4			5 to 6			7 and Higher			Total
	Lease receivables	$	1,615		$	1,538		$	141		$	3,294
	Loan receivables	953			593			137			1,683
	Financed service contracts and other	1,744			1,367			99			3,210
	Total	$	4,312		$	3,498		$	377		$	8,187
Schedule Of Financing Receivables By Portfolio Segment And Class Aging Analysis	The following tables present the aging analysis of gross receivables less unearned income as of April 25, 2015 and July 26, 2014 (in millions):
		DAYS PAST DUE
		(INCLUDES BILLED AND UNBILLED)
	25-Apr-15	31-60			61-90			91+			Total			Current		Total		Nonaccrual		Impaired
											Past Due							Financing		Financing
																		Receivables		Receivables
	Lease receivables	$	102		$	48		$	138		$	288		$	2,798	$	3,086	$	38	$	38
	Loan receivables	12			15			56			83			1,637		1,720		29		29
	Financed service contracts and other	99			88			309			496			2,585		3,081		32		12
	Total	$	213		$	151		$	503		$	867		$	7,020	$	7,887	$	99	$	79
		DAYS PAST DUE
		(INCLUDES BILLED AND UNBILLED)
	26-Jul-14	31-60			61-90			91+			Total			Current		Total		Nonaccrual		Impaired
											Past Due							Financing		Financing
																		Receivables		Receivables
	Lease receivables	$	63		$	46		$	202		$	311		$	2,983	$	3,294	$	48	$	41
	Loan receivables	3			21			27			51			1,632		1,683		19		19
	Financed service contracts and other	268			230			220			718			2,492		3,210		12		9
	Total	$	334		$	297		$	449		$	1,080		$	7,107	$	8,187	$	79	$	69
Allowance For Credit Loss And Related Financing Receivables	The allowances for credit loss and the related financing receivables are summarized as follows (in millions):
		CREDIT LOSS ALLOWANCES
	Three Months Ended April 25, 2015	Lease			Loan			Financed Service			Total
		Receivables			Receivables			Contracts and Other
	Allowance for credit loss as of January 24, 2015	$	250		$	85		$	40		$	375
	Provisions	(4		)	(5		)	(2		)	(11		)
	Recoveries (write-offs), net	(1		)	—			—			(1		)
	Foreign exchange and other	(3		)	—			(1		)	(4		)
	Allowance for credit loss as of April 25, 2015	$	242		$	80		$	37		$	359
	Financing receivables as of April 25, 2015 (1)	$	3,312		$	1,720		$	3,081		$	8,113
		CREDIT LOSS ALLOWANCES
	Nine Months Ended April 25, 2015	Lease			Loan			Financed Service			Total
		Receivables			Receivables			Contracts and Other
	Allowance for credit loss as of July 26, 2014	$	233		$	98		$	18		$	349
	Provisions	25			(15		)	21			31
	Recoveries (write-offs), net	(6		)	1			—			(5		)
	Foreign exchange and other	(10		)	(4		)	(2		)	(16		)
	Allowance for credit loss as of April 25, 2015	$	242		$	80		$	37		$	359
		CREDIT LOSS ALLOWANCES
	Three Months Ended April 26, 2014	Lease			Loan			Financed Service			Total
		Receivables			Receivables			Contracts and Other
	Allowance for credit loss as of January 25, 2014	$	254		$	98		$	22		$	374
	Provisions	(6		)	(10		)	(2		)	(18		)
	Recoveries (write-offs), net	(1		)	4			(1		)	2
	Foreign exchange and other	2			—			—			2
	Allowance for credit loss as of April 26, 2014	$	249		$	92		$	19		$	360
	Financing receivables as of April 26, 2014 (1)	$	3,537		$	1,621		$	2,810		$	7,968
		CREDIT LOSS ALLOWANCES
	Nine Months Ended April 26, 2014	Lease			Loan			Financed Service			Total
		Receivables			Receivables			Contracts and Other
	Allowance for credit loss as of July 27, 2013	$	238		$	86		$	20		$	344
	Provisions	9			5			—			14
	Recoveries (write-offs), net	—			4			(1		)	3
	Foreign exchange and other	2			(3		)	—			(1		)
	Allowance for credit loss as of April 26, 2014	$	249		$	92		$	19		$	360
	(1) Total financing receivables before allowance for credit loss.
Schedule of Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease	Amounts relating to equipment on operating lease assets and the associated accumulated depreciation are summarized as follows (in millions):
		April 25,			July 26,
		2015			2014
	Operating lease assets	$	359		$	362
	Accumulated depreciation	(195		)	(202		)
	Operating lease assets, net	$	164		$	160

Investments_Tables

Investments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Summary Of Available-For-Sale Investments	The following tables summarize the Company’s available-for-sale investments (in millions):
	April 25, 2015	Amortized			Gross			Gross			Fair
		Cost			Unrealized			Unrealized			Value
					Gains			Losses
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. government securities	$	29,364		$	59		$	(1	)	$	29,422
	U.S. government agency securities	3,257			6			(1		)	3,262
	Non-U.S. government and agency securities	1,184			2			—			1,186
	Corporate debt securities	13,321			86			(13		)	13,394
	U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	1,346			16			—			1,362
	Total fixed income securities	48,472			169			(15		)	48,626
	Publicly traded equity securities	1,328			598			(3		)	1,923
	Total	$	49,800		$	767		$	(18	)	$	50,549
	July 26, 2014	Amortized			Gross			Gross			Fair
		Cost			Unrealized			Unrealized			Value
					Gains			Losses
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. government securities	$	31,717		$	29		$	(12	)	$	31,734
	U.S. government agency securities	1,062			1			—			1,063
	Non-U.S. government and agency securities	860			2			(1		)	861
	Corporate debt securities	9,092			74			(7		)	9,159
	U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	574			5			—			579
	Total fixed income securities	43,305			111			(20		)	43,396
	Publicly traded equity securities	1,314			648			(10		)	1,952
	Total	$	44,619		$	759		$	(30	)	$	45,348
	Non-U.S. government and agency securities include agency and corporate debt securities that are guaranteed by non-U.S. governments.
Gross Realized Gains And Gross Realized Losses Related To Available-For-Sale Investment	The following table presents the gross realized gains and gross realized losses related to the Company’s available-for-sale investments (in millions):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		April 25,			April 26,			April 25,			April 26,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
	Gross realized gains	$	55		$	75		$	168		$	267
	Gross realized losses	(11		)	(6		)	(48		)	(33		)
	Total	$	44		$	69		$	120		$	234
	The following table presents the realized net gains (losses) related to the Company’s available-for-sale investments by security type (in millions):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		April 25,			April 26,			April 25,			April 26,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
	Net gains on investments in publicly traded equity securities	$	38		$	55		$	94		$	199
	Net gains on investments in fixed income securities	6			14			26			35
	Total	$	44		$	69		$	120		$	234
Available-For-Sale Investments With Gross Unrealized Losses	The following tables present the breakdown of the available-for-sale investments with gross unrealized losses and the duration that those losses had been unrealized at April 25, 2015 and July 26, 2014 (in millions):
		UNREALIZED LOSSES						UNREALIZED LOSSES						TOTAL
		LESS THAN 12 MONTHS						12 MONTHS OR GREATER
	April 25, 2015	Fair Value			Gross			Fair Value			Gross			Fair Value		Gross
					Unrealized						Unrealized					Unrealized
					Losses						Losses					Losses
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. government securities	$	4,096		$	(1	)	$	—		$	—		$	4,096	$	(1	)
	U.S. government agency securities	702			(1		)	—			—			702		(1		)
	Corporate debt securities	3,587			(12		)	157			(1		)	3,744		(13		)
	Total fixed income securities	8,385			(14		)	157			(1		)	8,542		(15		)
	Publicly traded equity securities	42			(3		)	1			—			43		(3		)
	Total	$	8,427		$	(17	)	$	158		$	(1	)	$	8,585	$	(18	)
		UNREALIZED LOSSES						UNREALIZED LOSSES						TOTAL
		LESS THAN 12 MONTHS						12 MONTHS OR GREATER
	July 26, 2014	Fair Value			Gross			Fair Value			Gross			Fair Value		Gross
					Unrealized						Unrealized					Unrealized
					Losses						Losses					Losses
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. government securities	$	7,676		$	(12	)	$	45		$	—		$	7,721	$	(12	)
	Non-U.S. government and agency securities	361			(1		)	22			—			383		(1		)
	Corporate debt securities	1,875			(3		)	491			(4		)	2,366		(7		)
	Total fixed income securities	9,912			(16		)	558			(4		)	10,470		(20		)
	Publicly traded equity securities	132			(10		)	—			—			132		(10		)
	Total	$	10,044		$	(26	)	$	558		$	(4	)	$	10,602	$	(30	)
Maturities of Fixed Income Securities	The following table summarizes the maturities of the Company’s fixed income securities at April 25, 2015 (in millions):
		Amortized Cost			Fair Value
	Less than 1 year	$	16,322		$	16,332
	Due in 1 to 2 years	14,969			15,006
	Due in 2 to 5 years	15,610			15,697
	Due after 5 years	1,571			1,591
	Total	$	48,472		$	48,626
Equity Method and Cost Method Investments	For such investments that were accounted for under the equity and cost method as of April 25, 2015 and July 26, 2014, the amounts are summarized in the following table (in millions):
		April 25,			July 26,
		2015			2014
	Equity method investments	$	561		$	630
	Cost method investments	312			269
	Total	$	873		$	899

Fair_Value_Tables

Fair Value (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of April 25, 2015 and July 26, 2014 were as follows (in millions):
		25-Apr-15											JULY 26, 2014
		FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS											FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
		Level 1			Level 2		Level 3			Total			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
										Balance									Balance
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market funds	$	2,307		$	—	$	—		$	2,307		$	4,935	$	—	$	—	$	4,935
	Corporate debt securities	—			1		—			1			—		—		—		—
	Available-for-sale investments:
	U.S. government securities	—			29,422		—			29,422			—		31,734		—		31,734
	U.S. government agency securities	—			3,262		—			3,262			—		1,063		—		1,063
	Non-U.S. government and agency securities	—			1,186		—			1,186			—		861		—		861
	Corporate debt securities	—			13,394		—			13,394			—		9,159		—		9,159
	U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	—			1,362		—			1,362			—		579		—		579
	Publicly traded equity securities	1,923			—		—			1,923			1,952		—		—		1,952
	Derivative assets	—			275		1			276			—		158		2		160
	Total	$	4,230		$	48,902	$	1		$	53,133		$	6,887	$	43,554	$	2	$	50,443
	Liabilities:
	Derivative liabilities	$	—		$	131	$	—		$	131		$	—	$	67	$	—	$	67
	Total	$	—		$	131	$	—		$	131		$	—	$	67	$	—	$	67
Fair Value Measurements, Nonrecurring [Table Text Block]	The following table presents the Company's assets that were measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during the indicated periods and the related recognized gains and losses for the periods indicated (in millions):
		LOSSES FOR THE					LOSSES FOR THE
		THREE MONTHS ENDED					NINE MONTHS ENDED
		April 25,			April 26,		April 25,			April 26,
		2015			2014		2015			2014
	Investments in privately held companies (impaired)	$	(17	)	$	—	$	(20	)	$	(10	)
	Purchased intangible assets (impaired)	(1		)	—		(57		)	—
	Property held for sale—land and buildings	(5		)	—		(5		)	—
	Total	$	(23	)	$	—	$	(82	)	$	(10	)

Borrowings_Tables

Borrowings (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule Of Short-Term Debt	The following table summarizes the Company’s short-term debt (in millions, except percentages):
		April 25, 2015							July 26, 2014
		Amount				Effective Rate			Amount				Effective Rate
	Current portion of long-term debt	$	3,914			2.47	%		$	500			3.11	%
	Commercial paper	500				0.16	%		—				—
	Other short-term debt	4				2.62	%		8				2.67	%
	Total	$	4,418						$	508
Schedule Of Long-Term Debt	The following table summarizes the Company’s long-term debt (in millions, except percentages):
				April 25, 2015						July 26, 2014
		Maturity Date		Amount				Effective Rate		Amount				Effective Rate
	Senior notes:
	Floating-rate notes:
	Three-month LIBOR plus 0.05%	September 3, 2015		$	850			0.41%		$	850			0.35%
	Three-month LIBOR plus 0.28%	March 3, 2017		1,000				0.61%		1,000				0.56%
	Three-month LIBOR plus 0.50%	March 1, 2019		500				0.82%		500				0.78%
	Fixed-rate notes:
	2.90%	November 17, 2014		—				—		500				3.11%
	5.50%	February 22, 2016		3,000				3.06%		3,000				3.04%
	1.10%	March 3, 2017		2,400				0.58%		2,400				0.56%
	3.15%	March 14, 2017		750				0.83%		750				0.79%
	4.95%	February 15, 2019		2,000				4.69%		2,000				4.69%
	2.13%	March 1, 2019		1,750				0.79%		1,750				0.77%
	4.45%	January 15, 2020		2,500				3.00%		2,500				2.98%
	2.90%	March 4, 2021		500				0.95%		500				0.93%
	3.62%	March 4, 2024		1,000				1.07%		1,000				1.05%
	5.90%	February 15, 2039		2,000				6.11%		2,000				6.11%
	5.50%	January 15, 2040		2,000				5.67%		2,000				5.67%
	Other long-term debt			1				2.08%		4				2.39%
	Total			20,251						20,754
	Unaccreted discount			(59		)				(63		)
	Hedge accounting fair value adjustments			308						210
	Total			$	20,500					$	20,901
	Reported as:
	Current portion of long-term debt			$	3,914					$	500
	Long-term debt			16,586						20,401
	Total			$	20,500					$	20,901
Schedule Of Principal Payments For Long-Term Debt	As of April 25, 2015, future principal payments for long-term debt, including the current portion, are summarized as follows (in millions):
	Fiscal Year	Amount
	2015 (remaining three months)	$	—
	2016	3,850
	2017	4,151
	2018	—
	2019	4,250
	Thereafter	8,000
	Total	$	20,251

Derivative_Instruments_Tables

Derivative Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivatives Recorded At Fair Value	The fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments and the line items on the Consolidated Balance Sheets to which they were recorded are summarized as follows (in millions):
		DERIVATIVE ASSETS										DERIVATIVE LIABILITIES
		Balance Sheet Line Item		April 25,				July 26,				Balance Sheet Line Item		April 25,				July 26,
				2015				2014						2015				2014
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign currency derivatives	Other current assets		$	1			$	7			Other current liabilities		$	48			$	6
	Interest rate derivatives	Other assets		270				148				Other long-term liabilities		—				3
	Equity derivatives	Other current assets		—				—				Other current liabilities		76				56
	Total			271				155						124				65
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign currency derivatives	Other current assets		4				3				Other current liabilities		7				2
	Equity derivatives	Other assets		1				2				Other long-term liabilities		—				—
	Total			5				5						7				2
	Total			$	276			$	160					$	131			$	67
Gains And Losses On Derivatives Designated As Cash Flow Hedges	The effects of the Company’s cash flow and net investment hedging instruments on other comprehensive income (OCI) and the Consolidated Statements of Operations are summarized as follows (in millions):
	GAINS (LOSSES) RECOGNIZED										GAINS (LOSSES) RECLASSIFIED FROM
	IN OCI ON DERIVATIVES FOR THE										AOCI INTO INCOME FOR THE
	THREE MONTHS ENDED (EFFECTIVE PORTION)										THREE MONTHS ENDED (EFFECTIVE PORTION)
			April 25,				April 26,				Line Item in		April 25,				April 26,
			2015				2014				Statements of Operations		2015				2014
	Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments:
	Foreign currency derivatives		$	(32	)		$	13			Operating expenses		$	(50	)		$	13
											Cost of sales—service		(14		)		3
	Total		$	(32	)		$	13					$	(64	)		$	16
	Derivatives designated as net investment hedging instruments:
	Foreign currency derivatives		$	2			$	(10	)		Other income (loss), net		$	—			$	—
	GAINS (LOSSES) RECOGNIZED										GAINS (LOSSES) RECLASSIFIED FROM
	IN OCI ON DERIVATIVES FOR THE										AOCI INTO INCOME FOR THE
	NINE MONTHS ENDED (EFFECTIVE PORTION)										NINE MONTHS ENDED (EFFECTIVE PORTION)
			April 25,				April 26,				Line Item in		April 25,				April 26,
			2015				2014				Statements of Operations		2015				2014
	Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments:
	Foreign currency derivatives		$	(163	)		$	47			Operating expenses		$	(74	)		$	36
											Cost of sales—service		(20		)		8
	Total		$	(163	)		$	47					$	(94	)		$	44
	Derivatives designated as net investment hedging instruments:
	Foreign currency derivatives		$	46			$	(13	)		Other income (loss), net		$	—			$	—
Schedule Of Derivative Fair Value Hedge Instruments Gain Loss In Statement Of Financial Performance	The effect on the Consolidated Statements of Operations of derivative instruments designated as fair value hedges and the underlying hedged items is summarized as follows (in millions):
					GAINS (LOSSES) ON								GAINS (LOSSES)
					DERIVATIVE								RELATED TO HEDGED
					INSTRUMENTS FOR THE								ITEMS FOR THE
					THREE MONTHS ENDED								THREE MONTHS ENDED
	Derivatives Designated as Fair Value Hedging Instruments		Line Item in Statements of Operations		April 25,				April 26,				April 25,				April 26,
					2015				2014				2015				2014
	Equity derivatives		Other income (loss), net		$	(8	)		$	(8	)		$	8			$	8
	Interest rate derivatives		Interest expense		(9		)		8				9				(8		)
	Total				$	(17	)		$	—			$	17			$	—
					GAINS (LOSSES) ON								GAINS (LOSSES)
					DERIVATIVE								RELATED TO HEDGED
					INSTRUMENTS FOR THE								ITEMS FOR THE
					NINE MONTHS ENDED								NINE MONTHS ENDED
	Derivatives Designated as		Line Item in Statements of Operations		April 25,				April 26,				April 25,				April 26,
	Fair Value Hedging Instruments				2015				2014				2015				2014
	Equity derivatives		Other income (loss), net		$	(20	)		$	(55	)		$	20			$	55
	Interest rate derivatives		Interest expense		122				(27		)		(125		)		26
	Total				$	102			$	(82	)		$	(105	)		$	81
Effect Of Derivative Instruments Not Designated As Fair Value Hedges On Consolidated Statement Of Operations Summary	The effect on the Consolidated Statements of Operations of derivative instruments not designated as hedges is summarized as follows (in millions):
					GAINS (LOSSES) FOR THE								GAINS (LOSSES) FOR THE
					THREE MONTHS ENDED								NINE MONTHS ENDED
	Derivatives Not Designated as		Line Item in Statements of Operations		April 25,				April 26,				April 25,				April 26,
	Hedging Instruments				2015				2014				2015				2014
	Foreign currency derivatives		Other income (loss), net		$	(56	)		$	36			$	(165	)		$	16
	Total return swaps—deferred compensation		Operating expenses		23				4				23				33
	Equity derivatives		Other income (loss), net		6				9				10				33
	Total				$	(27	)		$	49			$	(132	)		$	82
Schedule Of Notional Amounts Of Derivatives Outstanding	The notional amounts of the Company’s outstanding derivatives are summarized as follows (in millions):
		April 25,				July 26,
		2015				2014
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign currency derivatives—cash flow hedges	$	654			$	1,618
	Interest rate derivatives	10,400				10,400
	Net investment hedging instruments	188				345
	Equity derivatives	238				238
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign currency derivatives	2,187				2,528
	Total return swaps—deferred compensation	473				428
	Total	$	14,140			$	15,557
Offsetting Assets and Liabilities	Information related to these offsetting arrangements is summarized as follows (in millions):
		April 25, 2015
		Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets												Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets,
														but with Legal Rights to Offset
		Gross Amounts Recognized				Gross Amounts Offset				Net Amounts Presented				Gross Derivative Amounts				Cash Collateral			Net Amount
	Derivatives assets	$	276			$	—			$	276			$	(59	)		$	(159	)	$	58
	Derivatives liabilities	$	131			$	—			$	131			$	(59	)		$	—		$	72
		July 26, 2014
		Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets												Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets,
														but with Legal Rights to Offset
		Gross Amounts Recognized				Gross Amounts Offset				Net Amounts Presented				Gross Derivative Amounts				Cash Collateral			Net Amount
	Derivatives assets	$	160			$	—			$	160			$	(39	)		$	(60	)	$	61
	Derivatives liabilities	$	67			$	—			$	67			$	(39	)		$	(1	)	$	27

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule Of Future Annual Minimum Lease Payments Under All Noncancelable Operating Leases	Future minimum lease payments under all noncancelable operating leases with an initial term in excess of one year as of April 25, 2015 are as follows (in millions):
	Fiscal Year	Amount
	2015 (remaining three months)	$	97
	2016	304
	2017	210
	2018	153
	2019	85
	Thereafter	228
	Total	$	1,077
Compensation expenses related to business combinations	The following table summarizes the compensation expense related to acquisitions (in millions):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		April 25,			April 26,			April 25,		April 26,
		2015			2014			2015		2014
	Compensation expense related to acquisitions	$	72		$	95		$	264	$	505
Schedule Of Product Warranty Liability	The following table summarizes the activity related to the product warranty liability (in millions):
		Nine Months Ended
		April 25,			April 26,
		2015			2014
	Balance at beginning of period	$	446		$	402
	Provision for warranties issued	517			532
	Payments	(512		)	(504		)
	Balance at end of period	$	451		$	430
Schedule of Guarantor Obligations	The aggregate amounts of financing guarantees outstanding at April 25, 2015 and July 26, 2014, representing the total maximum potential future payments under financing arrangements with third parties along with the related deferred revenue, are summarized in the following table (in millions):
		April 25,			July 26,
		2015			2014
	Maximum potential future payments relating to financing guarantees:
	Channel partner	$	299		$	263
	End user	138			202
	Total	$	437		$	465
	Deferred revenue associated with financing guarantees:
	Channel partner	$	(122	)	$	(127	)
	End user	(113		)	(166		)
	Total	$	(235	)	$	(293	)
	Maximum potential future payments relating to financing guarantees, net of associated deferred revenue	$	202		$	172

Shareholders_Equity_Tables

Shareholders' Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Stock Repurchase Program	A summary of the stock repurchase activity under the stock repurchase program, reported based on the trade date, is summarized as follows (in millions, except per-share amounts):
		Shares	Weighted-		Amount
		Repurchased	Average Price		Repurchased
			per Share
	Cumulative balance at July 26, 2014	4,288	$	20.63	$	88,445
	Repurchase of common stock under the stock repurchase program (1)	120	26.81		3,229
	Cumulative balance at April 25, 2015	4,408	$	20.8	$	91,674
	(1) Includes stock repurchases of $30 million, which were pending settlement as of April 25, 2015. There were $126 million of stock repurchases that were pending settlement as of July 26, 2014.

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Tables

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary Of Share-Based Compensation Expense	Share-based compensation expense consists primarily of expenses for stock options, stock purchase rights, restricted stock, and restricted stock units granted to employees. The following table summarizes share-based compensation expense (in millions):
		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		April 25,				April 26,				April 25,				April 26,
		2015				2014				2015				2014
	Cost of sales—product	$	12			$	12			$	34			$	34
	Cost of sales—service	44				39				115				112
	Share-based compensation expense in cost of sales	56				51				149				146
	Research and development	114				106				338				306
	Sales and marketing	147				144				408				408
	General and administrative	50				52				151				153
	Restructuring and other charges	—				—				(2		)		(4		)
	Share-based compensation expense in operating expenses	311				302				895				863
	Total share-based compensation expense	$	367			$	353			$	1,044			$	1,009
	Income tax benefit for share-based compensation	$	88			$	86			$	267			$	246
Summary Of Share-Based Awards Available For Grant	A summary of share-based awards available for grant is as follows (in millions):
		Share-Based
		Awards Available
		for Grant
	BALANCE AT JULY 27, 2013	228
	Restricted stock, stock units, and other share-based awards granted	(98	)
	Share-based awards canceled/forfeited/expired	36
	Additional shares reserved	135
	Shares withheld for taxes and not issued	6
	Other	3
	BALANCE AT JULY 26, 2014	310
	Restricted stock, stock units, and other share-based awards granted	(79	)
	Share-based awards canceled/forfeited/expired	33
	Shares withheld for taxes and not issued	23
	Other	(2	)
	BALANCE AT APRIL 25, 2015	285
Summary Of Restricted Stock And Stock Unit Activity	A summary of the restricted stock and stock unit activity, which includes time-based and performance-based or market-based restricted stock units, is as follows (in millions, except per-share amounts):
		Restricted Stock/			Weighted-Average				Aggregated Fair
		Stock Units			Grant Date Fair				Market Value
					Value per Share
	UNVESTED BALANCE AT JULY 27, 2013	143			$	18.8
	Granted and assumed	72			20.85
	Vested	(53	)		19.55				$	1,229
	Canceled/forfeited	(13	)		18.61
	UNVESTED BALANCE AT JULY 26, 2014	149			19.54
	Granted and assumed	52			24.68
	Vested	(46	)		19.57				$	1,191
	Canceled/forfeited	(14	)		19.91
	UNVESTED BALANCE AT APRIL 25, 2015	141			$	21.4
Summary Of Stock Option Activity	A summary of the stock option activity is as follows (in millions, except per-share amounts):
		STOCK OPTIONS OUTSTANDING
		Number			Weighted-Average
		Outstanding			Exercise Price per Share
	BALANCE AT JULY 27, 2013	276			$	24.44
	Assumed from acquisitions	6			3.6
	Exercised	(78	)		18.3
	Canceled/forfeited/expired	(17	)		27.53
	BALANCE AT JULY 26, 2014	187			26.03
	Assumed from acquisitions	1			2.72
	Exercised	(64	)		21.05
	Canceled/forfeited/expired	(12	)		29.55
	BALANCE AT APRIL 25, 2015	112			$	28.26
Summary Of Significant Ranges Of Outstanding And Exercisable Stock Options	The following table summarizes significant ranges of outstanding and exercisable stock options as of April 25, 2015 (in millions, except years and share prices):
			STOCK OPTIONS OUTSTANDING													STOCK OPTIONS EXERCISABLE
	Range of Exercise Prices		Number			Weighted-		Weighted-				Aggregate				Number	Weighted-		Aggregate
			Outstanding			Average		Average				Intrinsic				Exercisable	Average		Intrinsic
						Remaining		Exercise				Value					Exercise		Value
						Contractual		Price per									Price per
						Life		Share									Share
						(in Years)
	$   0.01 – 20.00		5			4.6		$	6.46			$	116			4	$	8.51	$	69
	$ 20.01 – 25.00		24			0.6		22.99				140				24	22.99		140
	$ 25.01 – 30.00		15			1.3		26.79				33				15	26.79		33
	$ 30.01 – 35.00		68			1.3		32.16				—				68	32.16		—
	Total		112			1.3		$	28.26			$	289			111	$	28.68	$	242
Schedule of Assumptions Used	The assumptions for the valuation of time-based RSUs and PRSUs are summarized as follows:
		RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS								PERFORMANCE
										RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
	Three Months Ended	April 25, 2015				April 26, 2014				April 25, 2015				April 26, 2014
	Number of shares granted (in millions)	33				6				1				2
	Grant date fair value per share	$	25.31			$	19.95			$	25.87			$	19.85
	Weighted-average assumptions/inputs:
	Expected dividend yield	2.8		%		3.1		%		3		%		3.5		%
	Range of risk-free interest rates	0.0% – 1.4%				0.0% – 1.7%				0.0% – 1.4%				0.1% – 1.7%
	Range of expected volatilities for index	N/A				N/A				N/A				N/A
		RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS								PERFORMANCE
										RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
	Nine Months Ended	April 25, 2015				April 26, 2014				April 25, 2015				April 26, 2014
	Number of shares granted (in millions)	44				53				8				6
	Grant date fair value per share	$	24.83			$	20.5			$	23.97			$	21.73
	Weighted-average assumptions/inputs:
	Expected dividend yield	2.9		%		3.1		%		3		%		2.7		%
	Range of risk-free interest rates	0.0% – 1.8%				0.0% – 1.7%				0.0% – 1.8%				0.0% – 1.7%
	Range of expected volatilities for index	N/A				N/A				14.4% – 70.0%				17.4% – 70.5%

Comprehensive_Income_Tables

Comprehensive Income (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Components Of AOCI, Net Of Tax	The components of AOCI, net of tax, and the other comprehensive income (loss), excluding noncontrolling interest, for the nine months ended April 25, 2015 and April 26, 2014 are summarized as follows (in millions):
		Net Unrealized Gains on Investments				Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) Cash Flow Hedging Instruments			Cumulative Translation Adjustment and Actuarial Gains (Losses)				Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	BALANCE AT JULY 26, 2014	$	424			$	(12	)	$	265			$	677
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications attributable to Cisco Systems, Inc.	111				(163		)	(473		)		(525		)
	(Gains) losses reclassified out of AOCI	(120		)		94			—				(26		)
	Tax benefit (expense)	8				3			50				61
	BALANCE AT APRIL 25, 2015	$	423			$	(78	)	$	(158	)		$	187
		Net Unrealized Gains on Investments				Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) Cash Flow Hedging Instruments			Cumulative Translation Adjustment and Actuarial Gains (Losses)				Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	BALANCE AT JULY 27, 2013	$	379			$	8		$	221			$	608
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications attributable to Cisco Systems, Inc.	339				46			32				417
	(Gains) losses reclassified out of AOCI	(234		)		(44		)	—				(278		)
	Tax benefit (expense)	(43		)		(2		)	(5		)		(50		)
	BALANCE AT APRIL 26, 2014	$	441			$	8		$	248			$	697
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	The net gains (losses) reclassified out of other comprehensive income into the Consolidated Statements of Operations, with line item location, during each period were as follows (in millions):
			Three Months Ended							Nine Months Ended
			April 25,				April 26,			April 25,				April 26,
			2015				2014			2015				2014
	Comprehensive Income Components		Income Before Taxes							Income Before Taxes						Line Item in Statements of Operations
	Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale investments:
			$	44			$	69		$	120			$	234	Other income (loss), net
	Net unrealized gains and (losses) on cash flow hedging instruments:
	Foreign currency derivatives		(50		)		13			(74		)		36		Operating expenses
	Foreign currency derivatives		(14		)		3			(20		)		8		Cost of sales—service
			(64		)		16			(94		)		44
	Total amounts reclassified out of AOCI		$	(20	)		$	85		$	26			$	278

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income tax provision [Table Text Block]	The following table provides details of income taxes (in millions, except percentages):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		April 25,			April 26,			April 25,			April 26,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
	Income before provision for income taxes	$	3,035		$	2,642		$	8,268		$	6,937
	Provision for income taxes	$	598		$	461		$	1,606		$	1,331
	Effective tax rate	19.7		%	17.4		%	19.4		%	19.2		%

Segment_Information_and_Major_1

Segment Information and Major Customers (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Reportable Segments	Summarized financial information by segment for the three and nine months ended April 25, 2015 and April 26, 2014, based on the Company’s internal management system and as utilized by the Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker ("CODM"), is as follows (in millions):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		April 25,			April 26,			April 25,			April 26,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
	Revenue:
	Americas	$	7,252		$	6,689		$	21,854		$	20,465
	EMEA	3,119			3,068			9,212			8,897
	APJC	1,766			1,788			5,252			5,423
	Total	$	12,137		$	11,545		$	36,318		$	34,785
	Gross margin:
	Americas	$	4,560		$	4,196		$	13,776		$	12,823
	EMEA	1,949			1,967			5,774			5,725
	APJC	1,080			1,076			3,157			3,148
	Segment total	7,589			7,239			22,707			21,696
	Unallocated corporate items	(64		)	(233		)	(759		)	(1,332		)
	Total	$	7,525		$	7,006		$	21,948		$	20,364
Net Sales For Groups Of Similar Products And Services	The following table presents revenue for groups of similar products and services (in millions):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		April 25,			April 26,			April 25,			April 26,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
	Revenue:
	Switching	$	3,560		$	3,368		$	11,022		$	10,366
	NGN Routing	1,999			1,925			5,712			5,681
	Collaboration	973			909			2,912			2,859
	Service Provider Video	914			961			2,561			2,905
	Data Center	801			662			2,340			1,868
	Wireless	611			560			1,827			1,624
	Security	412			361			1,283			1,119
	Other	56			74			182			218
	Product	9,326			8,820			27,839			26,640
	Service	2,811			2,725			8,479			8,145
	Total	$	12,137		$	11,545		$	36,318		$	34,785
Property And Equipment, Net	Property and equipment information is based on the physical location of the assets. The following table presents property and equipment information for geographic areas (in millions):
		April 25,			July 26,
		2015			2014
	Property and equipment, net:
	United States	$	2,709		$	2,697
	International	567			555
	Total	$	3,276		$	3,252

Net_Income_per_Share_Tables

Net Income per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Calculation Of Basic And Diluted Net Income Per Share	The following table presents the calculation of basic and diluted net income per share (in millions, except per-share amounts):
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		April 25,		April 26,		April 25,		April 26,
		2015		2014		2015		2014
	Net income	$	2,437	$	2,181	$	6,662	$	5,606
	Weighted-average shares—basic	5,102		5,143		5,110		5,271
	Effect of dilutive potential common shares	46		37		44		40
	Weighted-average shares—diluted	5,148		5,180		5,154		5,311
	Net income per share—basic	$	0.48	$	0.42	$	1.3	$	1.06
	Net income per share—diluted	$	0.47	$	0.42	$	1.29	$	1.06
	Antidilutive employee share-based awards, excluded	75		240		156		331

Supplemental_Information_Stock

Supplemental Information (Stock Repurchases Since Inception of Program) (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 25, 2015	Jul. 26, 2014
Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified
Supplementary Information [Line Items]
Authorized common stock repurchase amount	$97,000,000,000
Cumulative stock repurchased and retired (in shares)	4,408	4,288
Repurchases of common stock under the repurchase program	91,674,000,000	88,445,000,000
Shares of Common Stock (in shares)
Supplementary Information [Line Items]
Cumulative stock repurchased and retired (in shares)	4,408
Common Stock and Additional Paid-In Capital
Supplementary Information [Line Items]
Repurchases of common stock under the repurchase program	22,318,000,000
Retained Earnings
Supplementary Information [Line Items]
Repurchases of common stock under the repurchase program	69,356,000,000
Total Cisco Shareholders’ Equity
Supplementary Information [Line Items]
Repurchases of common stock under the repurchase program	$91,674,000,000

Business_Combinations_Summary_

Business Combinations (Summary Of Allocation Of Total Purchase Consideration) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase Consideration	$242
Net Liabilities Assumed	-17
Purchased Intangible Assets	75
Goodwill	184
Metacloud, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase Consideration	149
Net Liabilities Assumed	-7
Purchased Intangible Assets	29
Goodwill	127
All others (three in total)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase Consideration	93
Net Liabilities Assumed	-10
Purchased Intangible Assets	46
Goodwill	$57

Business_Combinations_Addition

Business Combinations (Additional Information) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Jul. 26, 2014
Supplementary Information [Line Items]
Number of business combinations (in numbers)	4
Acquired Cash and Cash Equivalents	$5
General and administrative
Supplementary Information [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs	$5	$7

Goodwill_and_Purchased_Intangi2

Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets (Schedule Of Goodwill By Reportable Segments) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance (Beg)	$24,239
Acquisitions	184
Other	-25
Balance (End)	24,398
Americas
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance (Beg)	15,080
Acquisitions	99
Other	-13
Balance (End)	15,166
EMEA
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance (Beg)	5,715
Acquisitions	67
Other	-7
Balance (End)	5,775
APJC
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance (Beg)	3,444
Acquisitions	18
Other	-5
Balance (End)	$3,457

Goodwill_and_Purchased_Intangi3

Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets (Schedule Of Intangible Assets Acquired Through Business Combinations) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015
Intangible Assets Acquired Through Business Combinations
Amount	$75
IPR&D
Intangible Assets Acquired Through Business Combinations
Amount	6
TECHNOLOGY
Intangible Assets Acquired Through Business Combinations
Amount	55
CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS
Intangible Assets Acquired Through Business Combinations
Amount	14
Metacloud, Inc.
Intangible Assets Acquired Through Business Combinations
Amount	29
Metacloud, Inc. | IPR&D
Intangible Assets Acquired Through Business Combinations
Amount	2
Metacloud, Inc. | TECHNOLOGY
Intangible Assets Acquired Through Business Combinations
Weighted- Average Useful Life (in Years)	3 years
Amount	24
Metacloud, Inc. | CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS
Intangible Assets Acquired Through Business Combinations
Weighted- Average Useful Life (in Years)	5 years
Amount	3
All others (three in total)
Intangible Assets Acquired Through Business Combinations
Amount	46
All others (three in total) | IPR&D
Intangible Assets Acquired Through Business Combinations
Amount	4
All others (three in total) | TECHNOLOGY
Intangible Assets Acquired Through Business Combinations
Weighted- Average Useful Life (in Years)	4 years 8 months 12 days
Amount	31
All others (three in total) | CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS
Intangible Assets Acquired Through Business Combinations
Weighted- Average Useful Life (in Years)	8 years 1 month 6 days
Amount	11
Total
Intangible Assets Acquired Through Business Combinations
Amount	$75

Goodwill_and_Purchased_Intangi4

Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets (Schedule Of Purchased Intangible Assets With Finite And Indefinite Lives) (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 25, 2015	Jul. 26, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Gross	$5,216	$5,857
Accumulated Amortization	-2,679	-2,709
Total purchased intangible assets with finite lives, net	2,537	3,148
In-process research and development, with indefinite lives	89	132
Total- Gross	5,305	5,989
Total, net	2,626	3,280
TECHNOLOGY
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Gross	3,456	4,100
Accumulated Amortization	-1,742	-1,976
Total purchased intangible assets with finite lives, net	1,714	2,124
CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Gross	1,709	1,706
Accumulated Amortization	-915	-720
Total purchased intangible assets with finite lives, net	794	986
OTHER
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Gross	51	51
Accumulated Amortization	-22	-13
Total purchased intangible assets with finite lives, net	$29	$38

Goodwill_and_Purchased_Intangi5

Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets (Schedule Of Amortization Of Purchased Intangible Assets) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014
Acquired Intangible Asset Amortization by Statement of Operations Class [Line Items]
Amortization of purchased intangible assets	$70	$71	$213	$207
Cost of sales
Acquired Intangible Asset Amortization by Statement of Operations Class [Line Items]
Amortization of purchased intangible assets	187	190	618	553
Operating expenses
Acquired Intangible Asset Amortization by Statement of Operations Class [Line Items]
Amortization of purchased intangible assets		71		207
Total
Acquired Intangible Asset Amortization by Statement of Operations Class [Line Items]
Amortization of purchased intangible assets	$257	$261	$831	$760

Goodwill_and_Purchased_Intangi6

Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets (Schedule Of Estimated Future Amortization Expense Of Purchased Intangible Assets) (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 25, 2015	Jul. 26, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Abstract]
2015 (remaining three months)	$223
2016	763
2017	590
2018	448
2019	345
Thereafter	168
Total purchased intangible assets with finite lives, net	$2,537	$3,148

Goodwill_and_Purchased_Intangi7

Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets (Additional Information) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Impairment charges, measured on a nonrecurring basis	$1	$0	$57	$0

Restructuring_and_Other_Charge2

Restructuring and Other Charges (Schedule Of Activities Related To Restructuring And Other Charges) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 25, 2015
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Liability as of beginning period		$69
Gross charges		411
Cash payments		-420
Non-cash items		2
Liability as of ending period	62	62
Fiscal 2014 plan and prior plans | Employee Severance
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Liability as of beginning period		40
Gross charges		0
Cash payments		-26
Non-cash items		0
Liability as of ending period	14	14
Fiscal 2014 plan and prior plans | Other
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Liability as of beginning period		29
Gross charges		0
Cash payments		-10
Non-cash items		0
Liability as of ending period	19	19
Fiscal 2015 plan
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Gross charges	24	411
Fiscal 2015 plan | Employee Severance
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Liability as of beginning period		0
Gross charges		405
Cash payments		-381
Non-cash items		-2
Liability as of ending period	22	22
Fiscal 2015 plan | Other
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Liability as of beginning period		0
Gross charges		6
Cash payments		-3
Non-cash items		4
Liability as of ending period	$7	$7

Restructuring_and_Other_Charge3

Restructuring and Other Charges (Additional Information) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 26, 2014	Jul. 26, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	$411
Fiscal 2015 plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	411	24
Fiscal 2015 plan | Expected Maximum
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	600	600
Fiscal 2014 Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges			26	336
Cumulative restructuring charges					$418

Balance_Sheet_Details_Details

Balance Sheet Details (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 25, 2015	Jul. 26, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Inventories:
Raw materials	$264	$77
Work in process	2	5
Distributor inventory and deferred cost of sales	635	595
Manufactured finished goods	547	606
Total finished goods	1,182	1,201
Service-related spares	268	273
Demonstration systems	44	35
Total	1,760	1,591
Property and equipment, net:
Land, buildings, and building and leasehold improvements	4,465	4,468
Computer equipment and related software	1,344	1,425
Production, engineering, and other equipment	5,795	5,756
Operating lease assets	359	362
Furniture and fixtures	498	509
Property, plant and equipment, gross	12,461	12,520
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	-9,185	-9,268
Total	3,276	3,252
Other assets:
Deferred tax assets	1,437	1,700
Investments in privately held companies	873	899
Other	765	732
Total	3,075	3,331
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Deferred revenue:	14,181	14,142
Current	9,371	9,478
Noncurrent	4,810	4,664
Service
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Deferred revenue:	9,236	9,640
Product:
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Deferred revenue:	4,945	4,502
Product: | Unrecognized revenue on product shipments and other deferred revenue
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Deferred revenue:	4,258	3,924
Product: | Cash receipts related to unrecognized revenue from two-tier distributors
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Deferred revenue:	$687	$578

Financing_Receivables_and_Oper2

Financing Receivables and Operating Leases (Schedule Of Financing Receivables) (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 25, 2015	Jan. 24, 2015	Jul. 26, 2014	Apr. 26, 2014	Jan. 25, 2014	Jul. 27, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Allowance for credit loss	($359)	($375)	($349)	($360)	($374)	($344)
Current	4,248		4,153
Deferred revenue:	14,181		14,142
Lease Receivables
Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Gross	3,276		3,532
Residual value	226		233
Unearned income	-190		-238
Allowance for credit loss	-242		-233
Current	1,424		1,476
Noncurrent	1,646		1,818
Total, net	3,070		3,294
Loan Receivables
Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Gross	1,720		1,683
Residual value	0		0
Unearned income	0		0
Allowance for credit loss	-80		-98
Current	820		728
Noncurrent	820		857
Total, net	1,640		1,585
Financed Service Contracts and Other
Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Gross	3,081		3,210
Residual value	0		0
Unearned income	0		0
Allowance for credit loss	-37		-18
Current	2,004		1,949
Noncurrent	1,040		1,243
Total, net	3,044		3,192
Total
Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Gross	8,077		8,425
Residual value	226		233
Unearned income	-190		-238
Allowance for credit loss	-359		-349
Current	4,248		4,153
Noncurrent	3,506		3,918
Total, net	$7,754		$8,071

Financing_Receivables_and_Oper3

Financing Receivables and Operating Leases (Schedule Of Contractual Maturities Of Gross Lease Receivables) (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 25, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Financing Receivables And Guarantees [Abstract]
2015 (remaining three months)	$498
2016	1,349
2017	857
2018	406
2019	146
Thereafter	20
Total	$3,276

Financing_Receivables_and_Oper4

Financing Receivables and Operating Leases (Schedule Of Financing Receivables Categorized By Internal Credit Risk Rating) (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 25, 2015		Jul. 26, 2014	Apr. 26, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Gross receivables less unearned income	$7,887		$8,187
Total financing receivables before allowance for credit loss	8,113	[1]	8,420	7,968	[1]
1 to 4
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Gross receivables less unearned income	3,995		4,312
5 to 6
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Gross receivables less unearned income	3,558		3,498
7 and Higher
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Gross receivables less unearned income	334		377
Total
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Gross receivables less unearned income	7,887		8,187
Lease Receivables
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Gross receivables less unearned income	3,086		3,294
Total financing receivables before allowance for credit loss	3,312	[1]		3,537	[1]
Lease Receivables | 1 to 4
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Gross receivables less unearned income	1,590		1,615
Lease Receivables | 5 to 6
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Gross receivables less unearned income	1,371		1,538
Lease Receivables | 7 and Higher
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Gross receivables less unearned income	125		141
Lease Receivables | Total
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Gross receivables less unearned income	3,086		3,294
Loan Receivables
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Gross receivables less unearned income	1,720		1,683
Total financing receivables before allowance for credit loss	1,720	[1]		1,621	[1]
Loan Receivables | 1 to 4
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Gross receivables less unearned income	755		953
Loan Receivables | 5 to 6
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Gross receivables less unearned income	816		593
Loan Receivables | 7 and Higher
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Gross receivables less unearned income	149		137
Loan Receivables | Total
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Gross receivables less unearned income	1,720		1,683
Financed Service Contracts and Other
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Gross receivables less unearned income	3,081		3,210
Total financing receivables before allowance for credit loss	3,081	[1]		2,810	[1]
Financed Service Contracts and Other | 1 to 4
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Gross receivables less unearned income	1,650		1,744
Financed Service Contracts and Other | 5 to 6
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Gross receivables less unearned income	1,371		1,367
Financed Service Contracts and Other | 7 and Higher
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Gross receivables less unearned income	60		99
Financed Service Contracts and Other | Total
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Gross receivables less unearned income	$3,081		$3,210
[1]	Total financing receivables before allowance for credit loss.

Financing_Receivables_and_Oper5

Financing Receivables and Operating Leases (Schedule Of Aging Analysis Of Financing Receivables) (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 25, 2015	Jul. 26, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
31-60 days past due (Includes billed and unbilled)	$213	$334
61-90 days past due (includes billed and unbilled)	151	297
90 days or over past due ( includes billed and unbilled)	503	449
Total Past Due	867	1,080
Current	7,020	7,107
Total	7,887	8,187
Nonaccrual Financing Receivables	99	79
Impaired Financing Receivables	79	69
Lease Receivables
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
31-60 days past due (Includes billed and unbilled)	102	63
61-90 days past due (includes billed and unbilled)	48	46
90 days or over past due ( includes billed and unbilled)	138	202
Total Past Due	288	311
Current	2,798	2,983
Total	3,086	3,294
Nonaccrual Financing Receivables	38	48
Impaired Financing Receivables	38	41
Loan Receivables
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
31-60 days past due (Includes billed and unbilled)	12	3
61-90 days past due (includes billed and unbilled)	15	21
90 days or over past due ( includes billed and unbilled)	56	27
Total Past Due	83	51
Current	1,637	1,632
Total	1,720	1,683
Nonaccrual Financing Receivables	29	19
Impaired Financing Receivables	29	19
Financed Service Contracts and Other
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
31-60 days past due (Includes billed and unbilled)	99	268
61-90 days past due (includes billed and unbilled)	88	230
90 days or over past due ( includes billed and unbilled)	309	220
Total Past Due	496	718
Current	2,585	2,492
Total	3,081	3,210
Nonaccrual Financing Receivables	32	12
Impaired Financing Receivables	$12	$9

Financing_Receivables_and_Oper6

Financing Receivables and Operating Leases (Summary Of Allowances For Credit Loss And Related Financing Receivables) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015		Apr. 26, 2014		Apr. 25, 2015		Apr. 26, 2014		Jul. 26, 2014
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Allowance for credit loss as of	$375		$374		$349		$344
Provisions	-11		-18		31		14
Recoveries, net			2				3
Write-offs, net	-1				-5
Foreign exchange and other	-4		2		-16		-1
Allowance for credit loss as of	359		360		359		360
Total financing receivables before allowance for credit loss	8,113	[1]	7,968	[1]	8,113	[1]	7,968	[1]	8,420
Lease Receivables
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Allowance for credit loss as of	250		254		233		238
Provisions	-4		-6		25		9
Write-offs, net	-1		-1		-6		0
Foreign exchange and other	-3		2		-10		2
Allowance for credit loss as of	242		249		242		249
Total financing receivables before allowance for credit loss	3,312	[1]	3,537	[1]	3,312	[1]	3,537	[1]
Loan Receivables
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Allowance for credit loss as of	85		98		98		86
Provisions	-5		-10		-15		5
Recoveries, net	0		4		1		4
Foreign exchange and other	0		0		-4		-3
Allowance for credit loss as of	80		92		80		92
Total financing receivables before allowance for credit loss	1,720	[1]	1,621	[1]	1,720	[1]	1,621	[1]
Financed Service Contracts and Other
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Allowance for credit loss as of	40		22		18		20
Provisions	-2		-2		21		0
Write-offs, net	0		-1		0		-1
Foreign exchange and other	-1		0		-2		0
Allowance for credit loss as of	37		19		37		19
Total financing receivables before allowance for credit loss	$3,081	[1]	$2,810	[1]	$3,081	[1]	$2,810	[1]
[1]	Total financing receivables before allowance for credit loss.

Financing_Receivables_and_Oper7

Financing Receivables and Operating Leases (Operating Lease Schedule) (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 25, 2015	Jul. 26, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Operating lease [Abstract]
Operating lease assets	$359	$362
Accumulated depreciation	-195	-202
Operating lease assets, net	$164	$160

Financing_Receivables_and_Oper8

Financing Receivables and Operating Leases (Additional Information) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015		Apr. 25, 2015		Jul. 26, 2014	Apr. 26, 2014
			Rating
Financing Receivables And Guarantees [Line Items]
Average lease term (in years)	4 years
Deferred revenue:	$14,181,000,000		$14,181,000,000		$14,142,000,000
Financing receivable, allowance for credit loss and deferred revenue	1,900,000,000		1,900,000,000		2,220,000,000
Total financing receivables before allowance for credit loss	8,113,000,000	[1]	8,113,000,000	[1]	8,420,000,000	7,968,000,000	[1]
Threshold for past due receivables (in days)	31 days
Unbilled or current financing receivables included in greater than 91 days plus past due	361,000,000		361,000,000		334,000,000
Financing Receivable, 90 Days Past Due and Still Accruing	75,000,000		75,000,000		78,000,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Remainder of Fiscal Year	100,000,000		100,000,000
Minimum future rental from operating leases (per year amount in Fiscal 2016)	200,000,000		200,000,000
Investment Credit Risk Ratings Range Lowest			1
Investment Credit Risk Ratings Range Highest			10
Rating at or higher when receivables deemed impaired			8
Maximum
Financing Receivables And Guarantees [Line Items]
Loan receivables term (in years)	3 years
Minimum future rentals from operating leases (per year amount in Fiscal 2017)	100,000,000		100,000,000
Minimum future rentals from operating leases (per year amount in Fiscal 2018)	100,000,000		100,000,000
Minimum future rentals from operating leases (per year amount in Fiscal 2019)	100,000,000		100,000,000
Financed Service Contracts and Other | Minimum
Financing Receivables And Guarantees [Line Items]
Financed service contracts term (in years)	1 year
Financed Service Contracts and Other | Maximum
Financing Receivables And Guarantees [Line Items]
Financed service contracts term (in years)	3 years
Investment-grade ratings | Minimum
Financing Receivables And Guarantees [Line Items]
Financing credit risk rating-investment-lowest	1
Investment-grade ratings | Maximum
Financing Receivables And Guarantees [Line Items]
Financing credit risk rating-investment-lowest	4
Non-investment grade ratings | Minimum
Financing Receivables And Guarantees [Line Items]
Financing credit risk rating-investment-lowest	5
Non-investment grade ratings | Maximum
Financing Receivables And Guarantees [Line Items]
Financing credit risk rating-investment-lowest	6
Substandard | Minimum
Financing Receivables And Guarantees [Line Items]
Financing credit risk rating-investment-lowest	7
Lease Receivables
Financing Receivables And Guarantees [Line Items]
Total financing receivables before allowance for credit loss	3,312,000,000	[1]	3,312,000,000	[1]		3,537,000,000	[1]
Loan Receivables
Financing Receivables And Guarantees [Line Items]
Total financing receivables before allowance for credit loss	1,720,000,000	[1]	1,720,000,000	[1]		1,621,000,000	[1]
Financed Service Contracts and Other
Financing Receivables And Guarantees [Line Items]
Deferred revenue:	1,520,000,000		1,520,000,000		1,843,000,000
Total financing receivables before allowance for credit loss	$3,081,000,000	[1]	$3,081,000,000	[1]		$2,810,000,000	[1]
[1]	Total financing receivables before allowance for credit loss.

Investments_Summary_Of_Availab

Investments (Summary Of Available-For-Sale Investments) (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 25, 2015	Jul. 26, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Available-for-sale investments: [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	$49,800	$44,619
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	767	759
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	-18	-30
Fair Value	50,549	45,348
Total fixed income securities
Available-for-sale investments: [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	48,472	43,305
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	169	111
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	-15	-20
Fair Value	48,626	43,396
Total fixed income securities | U.S. government securities
Available-for-sale investments: [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	29,364	31,717
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	59	29
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	-1	-12
Fair Value	29,422	31,734
Total fixed income securities | U.S. government agency securities
Available-for-sale investments: [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	3,257	1,062
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	6	1
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	-1	0
Fair Value	3,262	1,063
Total fixed income securities | Non-U.S. government and agency securities
Available-for-sale investments: [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	1,184	860
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	2	2
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0	-1
Fair Value	1,186	861
Total fixed income securities | Corporate debt securities
Available-for-sale investments: [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	13,321	9,092
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	86	74
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	-13	-7
Fair Value	13,394	9,159
Total fixed income securities | U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities
Available-for-sale investments: [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	1,346	574
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	16	5
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0	0
Fair Value	1,362	579
Publicly traded equity securities [Member]
Available-for-sale investments: [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	1,328	1,314
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	598	648
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	-3	-10
Fair Value	$1,923	$1,952

Investments_Gross_Realized_Gai

Investments (Gross Realized Gains And Gross Realized Losses Related To Available-For-Sale Investment) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014
Investments [Abstract]
Gross realized gains	$55	$75	$168	$267
Gross realized losses	-11	-6	-48	-33
Total	$44	$69	$120	$234

Investments_Realized_Net_Gains

Investments (Realized Net Gains (Losses) Related To Available-For-Sale Investments) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Total	$44	$69	$120	$234
Net gains on investments in publicly traded equity securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Total	38	55	94	199
Net gains on investments in fixed income securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Total	$6	$14	$26	$35

Investments_AvailableForSale_I

Investments (Available-For-Sale Investments With Gross Unrealized Losses) (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 25, 2015	Jul. 26, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Fair value of investment securities with unrealized losses less than 12 months	$8,427	$10,044
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	-17	-26
Fair value of investment securities with unrealized losses12 months or greater	158	558
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	-1	-4
Fair value of investment securities with unrealized losses	8,585	10,602
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	-18	-30
Publicly traded equity securities
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Fair value of investment securities with unrealized losses less than 12 months	42	132
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	-3	-10
Fair value of investment securities with unrealized losses12 months or greater	1	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	0	0
Fair value of investment securities with unrealized losses	43	132
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	-3	-10
Total fixed income securities
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Fair value of investment securities with unrealized losses less than 12 months	8,385	9,912
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	-14	-16
Fair value of investment securities with unrealized losses12 months or greater	157	558
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	-1	-4
Fair value of investment securities with unrealized losses	8,542	10,470
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	-15	-20
Total fixed income securities | U.S. government securities
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Fair value of investment securities with unrealized losses less than 12 months	4,096	7,676
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	-1	-12
Fair value of investment securities with unrealized losses12 months or greater	0	45
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	0	0
Fair value of investment securities with unrealized losses	4,096	7,721
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	-1	-12
Total fixed income securities | U.S. government agency securities
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Fair value of investment securities with unrealized losses less than 12 months	702
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	-1
Fair value of investment securities with unrealized losses12 months or greater	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	0
Fair value of investment securities with unrealized losses	702
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	-1
Total fixed income securities | Non-U.S. government and agency securities
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Fair value of investment securities with unrealized losses less than 12 months		361
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss		-1
Fair value of investment securities with unrealized losses12 months or greater		22
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss		0
Fair value of investment securities with unrealized losses		383
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss		-1
Total fixed income securities | Corporate debt securities
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Fair value of investment securities with unrealized losses less than 12 months	3,587	1,875
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	-12	-3
Fair value of investment securities with unrealized losses12 months or greater	157	491
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	-1	-4
Fair value of investment securities with unrealized losses	3,744	2,366
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	($13)	($7)

Investments_Maturities_Of_Fixe

Investments (Maturities Of Fixed Income Securities) (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 25, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	$48,472
Fair Value	48,626
Less than 1 year
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	16,322
Fair Value	16,332
Due in 1 to 2 years
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	14,969
Fair Value	15,006
Due in 2 to 5 years
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	15,610
Fair Value	15,697
Due after 5 years
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	1,571
Fair Value	$1,591

Investments_Equity_Method_and_

Investments (Equity Method and Cost Method Investment) (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 25, 2015	Jul. 26, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Equity method investments	$561	$630
Cost method investments	312	269
Total	$873	$899

Investments_Additional_Informa

Investments (Additional Information) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		69 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Jul. 26, 2014	Oct. 25, 2014
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Impairment charges on available-for-sale investments	$0	$0	$0	$11,000,000
Other than temporary impairment, credit losses recognized in earnings, credit losses on debt securities held	0		0		0
Average daily balance of securities lending			500,000,000	1,400,000,000
Fair Value Of Securities Received As Collateral That Can Be Resold Or RePledged Percentage			102.00%	102.00%
Secured lending transactions outstanding	0		0		0	0
Cost method investment carrying value	312,000,000		312,000,000		312,000,000	269,000,000
VCE
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Cumulative gross investment in VCE	716,000,000		716,000,000		716,000,000
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	0	52,000,000	47,000,000	163,000,000	691,000,000
Proceeds from Sale of Equity Method Investments			152,000,000
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage (in %)							35.00%
Ownership interest in cost method investment (in %)	10.00%		10.00%		10.00%
Cost method investment carrying value	0		0		0
Gains recognized related to restructuring of VCE			$126,000,000

Fair_Value_Assets_and_Liabilit

Fair Value (Assets and Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis) (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 25, 2015	Jul. 26, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	$53,133	$50,443
Cash equivalents: | Money market funds
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	2,307	4,935
Cash equivalents: | Corporate debt securities
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	1	0
Available-for-sale investments: | U.S. government securities
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	29,422	31,734
Available-for-sale investments: | U.S. government agency securities
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	3,262	1,063
Available-for-sale investments: | Non-U.S. government and agency securities
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	1,186	861
Available-for-sale investments: | Corporate debt securities
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	13,394	9,159
Available-for-sale investments: | U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	1,362	579
Available-for-sale investments: | Publicly traded equity securities
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	1,923	1,952
Derivative assets
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	276	160
Derivative liabilities
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Liabilities:	131	67
Level 1
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	4,230	6,887
Level 1 | Cash equivalents: | Money market funds
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	2,307	4,935
Level 1 | Cash equivalents: | Corporate debt securities
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	0	0
Level 1 | Available-for-sale investments: | U.S. government securities
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	0	0
Level 1 | Available-for-sale investments: | U.S. government agency securities
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	0	0
Level 1 | Available-for-sale investments: | Non-U.S. government and agency securities
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	0	0
Level 1 | Available-for-sale investments: | Corporate debt securities
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	0	0
Level 1 | Available-for-sale investments: | U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	0	0
Level 1 | Available-for-sale investments: | Publicly traded equity securities
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	1,923	1,952
Level 1 | Derivative assets
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	0	0
Level 1 | Derivative liabilities
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Liabilities:	0	0
Level 2
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	48,902	43,554
Level 2 | Cash equivalents: | Money market funds
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	0	0
Level 2 | Cash equivalents: | Corporate debt securities
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	1	0
Level 2 | Available-for-sale investments: | U.S. government securities
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	29,422	31,734
Level 2 | Available-for-sale investments: | U.S. government agency securities
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	3,262	1,063
Level 2 | Available-for-sale investments: | Non-U.S. government and agency securities
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	1,186	861
Level 2 | Available-for-sale investments: | Corporate debt securities
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	13,394	9,159
Level 2 | Available-for-sale investments: | U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	1,362	579
Level 2 | Available-for-sale investments: | Publicly traded equity securities
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	0	0
Level 2 | Derivative assets
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	275	158
Level 2 | Derivative liabilities
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Liabilities:	131	67
Level 3
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	1	2
Level 3 | Cash equivalents: | Money market funds
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	0	0
Level 3 | Cash equivalents: | Corporate debt securities
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	0	0
Level 3 | Available-for-sale investments: | U.S. government securities
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	0	0
Level 3 | Available-for-sale investments: | U.S. government agency securities
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	0	0
Level 3 | Available-for-sale investments: | Non-U.S. government and agency securities
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	0	0
Level 3 | Available-for-sale investments: | Corporate debt securities
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	0	0
Level 3 | Available-for-sale investments: | U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	0	0
Level 3 | Available-for-sale investments: | Publicly traded equity securities
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	0	0
Level 3 | Derivative assets
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	1	2
Level 3 | Derivative liabilities
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Liabilities:	$0	$0

Fair_Value_Fair_Value_Nonrecur

Fair Value (Fair Value, Nonrecurring Measurement) (Details) (Level 3, USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Gains (losses) for assets measured on a nonrecurring basis	($23)	$0	($82)	($10)
Assets Held-for-sale [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Gains (losses) for assets measured on a nonrecurring basis	-5	0	-5	0
Purchased Intangible Assets | Cost of Sales and Operating Expenses [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Gains (losses) for assets measured on a nonrecurring basis	-1	0	-57	0
Investments In Privately Held Companies [Member] | Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Gains (losses) for assets measured on a nonrecurring basis	($17)	$0	($20)	($10)

Fair_Value_Additional_Informat

Fair Value (Additional Information) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014	Jul. 26, 2014
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]
Carrying Value, Cost Method Investments	$312,000,000		$312,000,000		$269,000,000
Senior notes, carrying value	20,500,000,000		20,500,000,000		20,901,000,000
Level 2
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]
Senior notes, fair value	22,200,000,000		22,200,000,000		22,400,000,000
Senior notes, carrying value	20,500,000,000		20,500,000,000		20,900,000,000
Level 3
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]
Gains (losses) for assets measured on a nonrecurring basis	23,000,000	0	82,000,000	10,000,000
Long term loan receivables and financed service contracts and others carrying value	1,900,000,000		1,900,000,000		2,100,000,000
Investments In Privately Held Companies [Member] | Remaining net carrying value, measured on a nonrecurring basis [Member] | Level 3
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Nonrecurring	4,000,000		4,000,000
Purchased Intangible Assets | Remaining net carrying value, measured on a nonrecurring basis [Member] | Level 3
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Nonrecurring	0		0
Assets Held-for-sale [Member] | Remaining net carrying value, measured on a nonrecurring basis [Member] | Level 3
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Nonrecurring	$11,000,000		$11,000,000

Borrowings_Schedule_Of_ShortTe

Borrowings (Schedule Of Short-Term Debt) (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 25, 2015	Jul. 26, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Amount	$4,418	$508
Current portion of long-term debt
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Amount	3,914	500
Effective Rate	2.47%	3.11%
Commercial Paper [Member]
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Amount	500	0
Effective Rate	0.16%	0.00%
Other short-term debt
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Amount	$4	$8
Effective Rate	2.62%	2.67%

Borrowings_Schedule_Of_LongTer

Borrowings (Schedule Of Long-Term Debt) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Jul. 26, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total	$20,251	$20,754
Unaccreted discount	-59	-63
Hedge accounting fair value adjustments	308	210
Total	20,500	20,901
Current portion of long-term debt	3,914	500
Long-term debt	16,586	20,401
Floating Rate Notes 3-month Libor Plus 0.05% Due September 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Date	3-Sep-15	3-Sep-15
Notes	850	850
Effective Rate	0.41%	0.35%
Three-month LIBOR plus this Percentage (in %)	0.05%	0.05%
Floating Rate Notes 3-month Libor Plus 0.28% Due March 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Date	3-Mar-17	3-Mar-17
Notes	1,000	1,000
Effective Rate	0.61%	0.56%
Three-month LIBOR plus this Percentage (in %)	0.28%	0.28%
Floating rate notes 3-month Libor plus 0.5% due March 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Date	1-Mar-19	1-Mar-19
Notes	500	500
Effective Rate	0.82%	0.78%
Three-month LIBOR plus this Percentage (in %)	0.50%	0.50%
Fixed-Rate Notes, 2.90%, Due November 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Date	17-Nov-14	17-Nov-14
Notes	0	500
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		2.90%
Effective Rate		3.11%
Fixed-Rate Notes, 5.5%, Due February 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Date	22-Feb-16	22-Feb-16
Notes	3,000	3,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.50%	5.50%
Effective Rate	3.06%	3.04%
Fixed-Rate Notes, 1.1%, Due March 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Date	3-Mar-17	3-Mar-17
Notes	2,400	2,400
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	1.10%	1.10%
Effective Rate	0.58%	0.56%
Fixed-Rate Notes, 3.15%, Due March 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Date	14-Mar-17	14-Mar-17
Notes	750	750
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.15%	3.15%
Effective Rate	0.83%	0.79%
Fixed-Rate Notes, 4.95%, Due February 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Date	15-Feb-19	15-Feb-19
Notes	2,000	2,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.95%	4.95%
Effective Rate	4.69%	4.69%
Fixed-Rate Notes, 2.125%, Due March 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Date	1-Mar-19	1-Mar-19
Notes	1,750	1,750
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.13%	2.13%
Effective Rate	0.79%	0.77%
Fixed-Rate Notes, 4.45%, Due January 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Date	15-Jan-20	15-Jan-20
Notes	2,500	2,500
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.45%	4.45%
Effective Rate	3.00%	2.98%
Fixed-Rate Notes, 2.90%, Due March 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Date	4-Mar-21	4-Mar-21
Notes	500	500
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.90%	2.90%
Effective Rate	0.95%	0.93%
Fixed-Rate Notes,3.625%, Due March 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Date	4-Mar-24	4-Mar-24
Notes	1,000	1,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.63%	3.63%
Effective Rate	1.07%	1.05%
Fixed-Rate Notes, 5.9%, Due February 2039
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Date	15-Feb-39	15-Feb-39
Notes	2,000	2,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.90%	5.90%
Effective Rate	6.11%	6.11%
Fixed-Rate Notes, 5.5%, Due January 2040
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Date	15-Jan-40	15-Jan-40
Notes	2,000	2,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.50%	5.50%
Effective Rate	5.67%	5.67%
Other long-term debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Other long-term debt	$1	$4
Effective Rate	2.08%	2.39%

Borrowings_Schedule_Of_Future_

Borrowings (Schedule Of Future Principal Payments For Long-Term Debt) (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 25, 2015	Jul. 26, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
2015 (remaining three months)	$0
2016	3,850
2017	4,151
2018	0
2019	4,250
Thereafter	8,000
Total	$20,251	$20,754

Borrowings_Additional_Informat

Borrowings (Additional Information) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014	Jan. 24, 2015	23-May-15	Jul. 25, 2015	Jul. 26, 2014	15-May-15
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commercial paper, maximum borrowing limit	$3,000,000,000	$3,000,000,000
Commercial paper outstanding, Description	The outstanding commercial paper notes as of April 25, 2015 had original maturity dates of three months or less.
Repayments of Senior Debt		507,000,000	3,274,000,000
Derivative, Notional Amount	14,140,000,000	14,140,000,000					15,557,000,000
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: | Interest rate derivatives
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	10,400,000,000	10,400,000,000					10,400,000,000
Fixed-Rate Notes, 2.90%, Due November 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Senior Debt				500,000,000
Subsequent Event | Unsecured revolving credit facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity								3,000,000,000
Maturity date						15-May-20
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate Description					Any advances under the credit agreement will accrue interest at rates that are equal to, based on certain conditions, either (i) the highest of (a) the Federal Funds rate plus 0.50%, (b) Bank of America’s “prime rate” as announced from time to time, or (c) LIBOR or a comparable or successor rate which rate is approved by the Administrative Agent (“Eurocurrency Rate”) for an interest period of one-month plus 1.00%, or (ii) the Eurocurrency Rate, plus a margin that is based on the Company’s senior debt credit ratings as published by Standard & Poor’s Financial Services, LLC and Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., provided that in no event will the Eurocurrency Rate be less than zero. The credit agreement requires the Company to comply with certain covenants, including that it maintain an interest coverage ratio as defined in the agreement.
Additional credit facility upon agreement								$2,000,000,000
Additional unsecured revolving credit facility maturity date						15-May-22
Subsequent Event | Unsecured revolving credit facility | Federal fund rate plus 0.50% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate based on % above pre-defined market rate					0.50%
Subsequent Event | Unsecured revolving credit facility | One-month LIBOR plus 1%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate based on % above pre-defined market rate					1.00%

Derivative_Instruments_Derivat

Derivative Instruments (Derivatives Recorded At Fair Value) (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 25, 2015	Jul. 26, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Derivative [Line Items]
DERIVATIVE ASSETS	$276	$160
DERIVATIVE LIABILITIES	131	67
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Derivative [Line Items]
DERIVATIVE ASSETS	271	155
DERIVATIVE LIABILITIES	124	65
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: | Foreign currency derivatives | Other current assets
Derivative [Line Items]
DERIVATIVE ASSETS	1	7
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: | Foreign currency derivatives | Other current liabilities
Derivative [Line Items]
DERIVATIVE LIABILITIES	48	6
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: | Interest rate derivatives | Other assets
Derivative [Line Items]
DERIVATIVE ASSETS	270	148
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: | Interest rate derivatives | Other long-term liabilities
Derivative [Line Items]
DERIVATIVE LIABILITIES	0	3
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: | Equity derivatives | Other current assets
Derivative [Line Items]
DERIVATIVE ASSETS	0	0
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: | Equity derivatives | Other current liabilities
Derivative [Line Items]
DERIVATIVE LIABILITIES	76	56
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Derivative [Line Items]
DERIVATIVE ASSETS	5	5
DERIVATIVE LIABILITIES	7	2
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: | Foreign currency derivatives | Other current assets
Derivative [Line Items]
DERIVATIVE ASSETS	4	3
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: | Foreign currency derivatives | Other current liabilities
Derivative [Line Items]
DERIVATIVE LIABILITIES	7	2
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: | Equity derivatives | Other assets
Derivative [Line Items]
DERIVATIVE ASSETS	1	2
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: | Equity derivatives | Other long-term liabilities
Derivative [Line Items]
DERIVATIVE LIABILITIES	$0	$0

Derivative_Instruments_Effect_

Derivative Instruments (Effect Of Derivative Instruments Designated As Cash Flow Hedges On Other Comprehensive Income And Consolidated Statements Of Operations Summary) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments:
Derivative [Line Items]
GAINS (LOSSES) RECOGNIZED IN OCI ON DERIVATIVES FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED (EFFECTIVE PORTION)	($32)	$13	($163)	$47
GAINS (LOSSES) RECLASSIFIED FROM AOCI INTO INCOME FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED (EFFECTIVE PORTION)	-64	16	-94	44
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments: | Foreign currency derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
GAINS (LOSSES) RECOGNIZED IN OCI ON DERIVATIVES FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED (EFFECTIVE PORTION)	-32	13	-163	47
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments: | Foreign currency derivatives | Operating expenses
Derivative [Line Items]
GAINS (LOSSES) RECLASSIFIED FROM AOCI INTO INCOME FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED (EFFECTIVE PORTION)	-50	13	-74	36
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments: | Foreign currency derivatives | Cost of sales—service
Derivative [Line Items]
GAINS (LOSSES) RECLASSIFIED FROM AOCI INTO INCOME FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED (EFFECTIVE PORTION)	-14	3	-20	8
Derivatives designated as net investment hedging instruments: | Foreign currency derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
GAINS (LOSSES) RECOGNIZED IN OCI ON DERIVATIVES FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED (EFFECTIVE PORTION)	2	-10	46	-13
Derivatives designated as net investment hedging instruments: | Foreign currency derivatives | Other income (loss), net
Derivative [Line Items]
GAINS (LOSSES) RECLASSIFIED FROM AOCI INTO INCOME FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED (EFFECTIVE PORTION)	$0	$0	$0	$0

Derivative_Instruments_Effect_1

Derivative Instruments (Effect Of Derivative Instruments Designated As Fair Value Hedges And Underlying Hedged Items On Consolidated Statements Of Operations) (Details) (Derivatives Designated as Fair Value Hedging Instruments, USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014
Hedge Underlying Gain Loss [Line Items]
GAINS (LOSSES) ON DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED	($17)	$0	$102	($82)
GAINS (LOSSES) RELATED TO HEDGED ITEMS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED	17	0	-105	81
Equity derivatives | Other income (loss), net
Hedge Underlying Gain Loss [Line Items]
GAINS (LOSSES) ON DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED	-8	-8	-20	-55
GAINS (LOSSES) RELATED TO HEDGED ITEMS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED	8	8	20	55
Interest rate derivatives | Interest expense
Hedge Underlying Gain Loss [Line Items]
GAINS (LOSSES) ON DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED	-9	8	122	-27
GAINS (LOSSES) RELATED TO HEDGED ITEMS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED	$9	($8)	($125)	$26

Derivative_Instruments_Effect_2

Derivative Instruments (Effect Of Derivative Instruments Not Designated As Hedges On Consolidated Statement Of Operations Summary) (Details) (Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:, USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
GAINS (LOSSES) FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED	($27)	$49	($132)	$82
Foreign currency derivatives | Other income (loss), net
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
GAINS (LOSSES) FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED	-56	36	-165	16
Total return swaps—deferred compensation | Operating expenses
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
GAINS (LOSSES) FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED	23	4	23	33
Equity derivatives | Other income (loss), net
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
GAINS (LOSSES) FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED	$6	$9	$10	$33

Derivative_Instruments_Schedul

Derivative Instruments (Schedule Of Notional Amounts Of Derivatives Outstanding) (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 25, 2015	Jul. 26, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivatives	$14,140	$15,557
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: | Foreign currency derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivatives	654	1,618
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: | Interest rate derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivatives	10,400	10,400
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: | Net investment hedging instruments
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivatives	188	345
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: | Equity derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivatives	238	238
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: | Foreign currency derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivatives	2,187	2,528
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: | Total return swaps—deferred compensation
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivatives	$473	$428

Derivative_Instruments_Offsett

Derivative Instruments (Offsetting of Derivative Assets and Liabilities) (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 25, 2015	Jul. 26, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Gross Amount of Recognized Assets	$276	$160
Gross Amounts Offset in Consolidated Balance Sheets	0	0
Net Amount Presented on Consolidated Balance Sheets	276	160
Gross Derivative Amounts with Legal Rights to Offset	-59	-39
Cash Collateral Received	-159	-60
Net Amount	58	61
Gross Amount of Recognized Liabilities	131	67
Gross Amounts Offset in Consolidated Balance Sheets	0	0
Net Amount Presented on Consolidated Balance Sheets	131	67
Gross Derivative Amounts with Legal Rights to Offset	-59	-39
Cash Collateral Pledged	0	-1
Net Amount	$72	$27

Derivative_Instruments_Additio

Derivative Instruments (Additional Information) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 25, 2015	Jul. 26, 2014
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset Including Not Subject to Master Netting Arrangement	$276	276	$160
Net derivative gains or losses to be reclassified from AOCI into earnings in next twelve months	69
Net liability position	131	131	67
Long-term Debt
Derivative [Line Items]
Description of Interest Rate Derivative Activities		In fiscal 2014 and 2013, the Company entered into interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges related to fixed-rate senior notes that are due on various dates from 2017 through 2024. In the periods prior to fiscal 2013, the Company entered into interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges related to fixed-rate senior notes that are due in 2016 and 2017.
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments:
Derivative [Line Items]
Foreign currency cash flow hedges maturity period, maximum, months	18 months
Net investment hedging instruments
Derivative [Line Items]
Foreign currency cash flow hedges maturity period, maximum, months	6 months
Fixed Income Securities [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of Interest Rate Derivatives Held	0	0	0
Right to request collateral subject to specified credit rating and in net liability position [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Net liability position	$0	0	$3

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Schedule Of Future Minimum Lease Payments Under All Noncancelable Operating Leases) (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 25, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
2015 (remaining three months)	$97
2016	304
2017	210
2018	153
2019	85
Thereafter	228
Total	$1,077

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies (Schedule of Other Commitments) (Details) (Acquisition, USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014
Acquisition
Contingency [Line Items]
Compensation expense related to acquisitions	$72	$95	$264	$505

Commitments_and_Contingencies_3

Commitments and Contingencies (Schedule Of Product Warranty Liability) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014
Movement in Standard and Extended Product Warranty, Increase (Decrease) [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$446	$402
Provision for warranties issued	517	532
Payments	-512	-504
Balance at end of period	$451	$430

Commitments_and_Contingencies_4

Commitments and Contingencies (Schedule of Financing Guarantees Outstanding) (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 25, 2015	Jul. 26, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Maximum potential future payments relating to financing guarantees:	$437	$465
Deferred revenue associated with financing guarantees:	-235	-293
Maximum potential future payments relating to financing guarantees, net of associated deferred revenue	202	172
Channel partner
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Maximum potential future payments relating to financing guarantees:	299	263
Deferred revenue associated with financing guarantees:	-122	-127
End user
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Maximum potential future payments relating to financing guarantees:	138	202
Deferred revenue associated with financing guarantees:	($113)	($166)

Commitments_and_Contingencies_5

Commitments and Contingencies (Additional Information) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		21 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014	Oct. 25, 2014	Apr. 28, 2012	Apr. 25, 2015	Jan. 25, 2014	Jul. 26, 2014
Contingency [Line Items]
Purchase Commitments	$4,495,000,000		$4,495,000,000				$4,495,000,000		$4,169,000,000
Liability for purchase commitments	153,000,000		153,000,000				153,000,000		162,000,000
Future compensation expense & contingent consideration, maximum	366,000,000		366,000,000				366,000,000
Commitments and contingencies
Volume of channel partner financing	6,300,000,000	5,800,000,000	19,000,000,000	17,900,000,000
Balance of the channel partner financing subject to guarantees	1,200,000,000		1,200,000,000				1,200,000,000		1,200,000,000
Financing provided by third parties for leases and loans on which the Company has provided guarantees	22,000,000	44,000,000	87,000,000	89,000,000
Cost of Goods Sold (Adjustment)	3,584,000,000	3,595,000,000	11,309,000,000	11,665,000,000
Brazilian Authority Claim Of Import Tax Evasion By Importer Tax Portion	291,000,000		291,000,000				291,000,000
Brazilian Authority Claim Of Import Tax Evasion By Importer Interest Portion	1,100,000,000		1,100,000,000				1,100,000,000
Brazilian Authority Claim Of Import Tax Evasion By Importer Penalties Portion	1,300,000,000		1,300,000,000				1,300,000,000
Minimum
Contingency [Line Items]
Warranty period for products, in days	90 days
Channel partners revolving short-term financing payment term, in days	60 days
Maximum
Contingency [Line Items]
Warranty period for products, in years	5 years
Channel partners revolving short-term financing payment term, in days	90 days
End User Lease And Loan Term, in years	3 years
Insieme Networks Inc
Contingency [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entities Investment						100,000,000
Ownership percentage as a result of investment					83.00%
Compensation expense related to acquisitions	51,000,000	52,000,000	155,000,000	363,000,000			571,000,000
Insieme Networks Inc | Maximum | Including compensation that has been expensed through current reporting period [Member]
Contingency [Line Items]
Commitments and contingencies	843,000,000		843,000,000				843,000,000
Investments In Privately Held Companies
Contingency [Line Items]
Commitments and contingencies	247,000,000		247,000,000				247,000,000		255,000,000
Supplier Component Remediation Liability
Contingency [Line Items]
Commitments and contingencies	426,000,000		426,000,000				426,000,000	63,000,000	670,000,000
Cost of Goods Sold (Adjustment)	-164,000,000							655,000,000
Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States [Member]
Contingency [Line Items]
Percentage of revenue, Percentage	2.00%
Rockstar [Member]
Contingency [Line Items]
Cost of Goods Sold (Adjustment)					188,000,000
Rockstar [Member] | Partially offset to $188 million accrued to Cost of goods sold in Q1'15
Contingency [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Damages Awarded, Value	$300,000,000

Shareholders_Equity_Stock_Repu

Shareholders' Equity (Stock Repurchase Program) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Cumulative Shares Repurchased, Beginning balance (in shares)	4,288
Repurchase of Common Stock During Period (in shares)	120	[1]
Cumulative Shares Repurchased, Ending balance (in shares)	4,408
Cumulative Weighted-Average Price per Share, Beginning balance, dollars per share	$20.63
Repurchase of common stock under the stock repurchase program, Weighted-Average Price per Share, dollars per share	$26.81
Cumulative Weighted-Average Price per Share, Ending balance, dollars per share	$20.80
Cumulative Amount Repurchased, Beginning balance	$88,445
Stock Repurchased During the Period, Shares	3,229	[1]
Cumulative Amount Repurchased, Ending balance	$91,674
[1]	Includes stock repurchases of $30 million, which were pending settlement as of April 25, 2015. There were $126 million of stock repurchases that were pending settlement as of July 26, 2014.

Shareholders_Equity_Additional

Shareholders' Equity (Additional Information) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Share data in Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014	Jul. 26, 2014
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Cash dividends paid per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.21	$0.19	$0.59	$0.53
Cash dividends declared, per common share			$0.59	$0.53
Payments of Dividends			$3,017,000,000	$2,784,000,000
Authorized common stock repurchase amount	97,000,000,000		97,000,000,000
Remaining authorized repurchase amount	5,300,000,000		5,300,000,000
Shares Paid for Tax Withholding for Share Based Compensation (shares in million)	17	14
Payments Related to Tax Withholding for Share-based Compensation	415,000,000	345,000,000	415,000,000	345,000,000
Stock repurchase program
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Accrued Liabilities, Current	$30,000,000		$30,000,000		$126,000,000

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Summary

Employee Benefit Plans (Summary Of Share-Based Compensation Expense) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation expense	$367	$353	$1,044	$1,009
Income tax benefit for share-based compensation	88	86	267	246
Cost of sales—product
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation expense	12	12	34	34
Cost of sales—service
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation expense	44	39	115	112
Cost of sales
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation expense	56	51	149	146
Research and development
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation expense	114	106	338	306
Sales and marketing
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation expense	147	144	408	408
General and administrative
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation expense	50	52	151	153
Restructuring and other charges
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation expense	0	0
Stock Granted, Value, Share-based Compensation, Forfeited			-2	-4
Operating expenses
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation expense	$311	$302	$895	$863

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Summary1

Employee Benefit Plans (Summary of Share-Based Awards available for Grant) (Details)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Jul. 26, 2014
Employee Stock Benefit Plans [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of fiscal period	310	228
Restricted stock, stock units, and other share-based awards granted	-79	-98
Share-based awards canceled/forfeited/expired	33	36
Additional shares reserved		135
Shares withheld for taxes and not issued	23	6
Other	-2	3
Balance at end of fiscal period	285	310

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Summary2

Employee Benefit Plans (Summary Of Restricted Stock And Stock Unit Activity) (Details) (Restricted Stock/Stock Units, USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Jul. 26, 2014
Restricted Stock/Stock Units
Restricted Stock and Stock Unit Activity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance, Restricted Stock/Stock Units, shares	149	143
Granted and assumed	52	72
Vested	-46	-53
Canceled/forfeited	-14	-13
Ending balance, Restricted Stock/Stock Units, shares	141	149
Beginning balance, Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value per Share, dollars per share	$19.54	$18.80
Granted and assumed, Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value per Share, dollars per share	$24.68	$20.85
Vested, Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value per Share, dollars per share	$19.57	$19.55
Canceled/forfeited, Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value per Share, dollars per share	$19.91	$18.61
Ending balance, Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value per Share, dollars per share	$21.40	$19.54
Vested, Vest-Date Fair Value in Aggregate	$1,191	$1,229

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Summary3

Employee Benefit Plans (Summary Of Stock Option Activity) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Jul. 26, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance, Number Outstanding, options	187	276
Assumed from acquisitions	1	6
Exercised	-64	-78
Canceled/forfeited/expired	-12	-17
Ending balance, Number Outstanding, options	112	187
Weighted-Average Exercise Price per Share, Beginning Balance, dollars per share	$26.03	$24.44
Assumed from acquisitions, Weighted-Average Exercise Price per Share, dollars per share	$2.72	$3.60
Exercised, Weighted-Average Exercise Price per Share, dollars per share	$21.05	$18.30
Canceled/forfeited/expired, Weighted-Average Exercise Price per Share, dollars per share	$29.55	$27.53
Weighted-Average Exercise Price per Share, Ending Balance, dollars per share	$28.26	$26.03

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Summary4

Employee Benefit Plans (Summary Of Significant Ranges Of Outstanding And Exercisable Stock Options) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Jul. 26, 2014	Jul. 27, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number Outstanding (in shares)	112	187	276
Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life (in Year/Month/Date))	1 year 3 months 18 days
Weighted- Average Exercise Price per Share	$28.26	$26.03	$24.44
Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$289
Number Exercisable, shares	111	183
Weighted- Average Exercise Price per Share	$28.68	$26.50
Aggregate Intrinsic Value	242
$ 0.01 – 20.00
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number Outstanding (in shares)	5
Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life (in Year/Month/Date))	4 years 7 months 6 days
Weighted- Average Exercise Price per Share	$6.46
Aggregate Intrinsic Value	116
Number Exercisable, shares	4
Weighted- Average Exercise Price per Share	$8.51
Aggregate Intrinsic Value	69
$ 20.01 – 25.00
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number Outstanding (in shares)	24
Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life (in Year/Month/Date))	7 months 6 days
Weighted- Average Exercise Price per Share	$22.99
Aggregate Intrinsic Value	140
Number Exercisable, shares	24
Weighted- Average Exercise Price per Share	$22.99
Aggregate Intrinsic Value	140
$ 25.01 – 30.00
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number Outstanding (in shares)	15
Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life (in Year/Month/Date))	1 year 3 months 18 days
Weighted- Average Exercise Price per Share	$26.79
Aggregate Intrinsic Value	33
Number Exercisable, shares	15
Weighted- Average Exercise Price per Share	$26.79
Aggregate Intrinsic Value	33
$ 30.01 – 35.00
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number Outstanding (in shares)	68
Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life (in Year/Month/Date))	1 year 3 months 18 days
Weighted- Average Exercise Price per Share	$32.16
Aggregate Intrinsic Value	0
Number Exercisable, shares	68
Weighted- Average Exercise Price per Share	$32.16
Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$0

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Summary5

Employee Benefit Plans (Summary Assumptions Related To And Valuation Of Employee Share-Based Awards (Time-Based Restricted Stock Units)) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014
RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares granted (in millions)	33	6	44	53
Grant date fair value per share	$25.31	$19.95	$24.83	$20.50
Expected dividend	2.80%	3.10%	2.90%	3.10%
Range of Risk Free Interest Rate, Minimum	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Range of Risk Free Interest Rate, Maximum	1.40%	1.70%	1.80%	1.70%
PERFORMANCE RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares granted (in millions)	1	2	8	6
Grant date fair value per share	$25.87	$19.85	$23.97	$21.73
Expected dividend	3.00%	3.50%	3.00%	2.70%
Range of Risk Free Interest Rate, Minimum	0.00%	0.10%	0.00%	0.00%
Range of Risk Free Interest Rate, Maximum	1.40%	1.70%	1.80%	1.70%
Range of Expected Volatility Rate, Minimum			14.40%	17.40%
Range of Expected Volatility Rate, Maximum			70.00%	70.50%

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Additio

Employee Benefit Plans (Additional Information) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Billions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 24, 2015	Jul. 26, 2014
	stock_incentive_plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of stock incentive plans	4
Total compensation cost related to unvested share-based awards	$2.40
Expected period of recognition of compensation cost, years	2 years 5 months 18 days
Closing stock price			$28.82
In-the-money exercisable stock option shares	41,000,000
Number Exercisable, shares	111,000,000			183,000,000
Weighted- Average Exercise Price per Share	$28.68			$26.50
2005 Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares reserved for issuance (in shares)	694,000,000
Exercise price as a percentage of market value (in percentage)	100.00%
Description of PRSU granted contingent on performance metrics	generally 50% of the PRSUs are earned based on the average of annual operating cash flow and earnings per share goals established at the beginning of each fiscal year over a three-year performance period. Generally, the remaining 50% of the PRSUs are earned based on the Company’s TSR measured against the benchmark TSR of a peer group over the same period.
PRSU allocation between Financial operating goals and TSR	50.00%
2005 Plan | Stock awards prior to November 12, 2009 | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expiration date for stock options and stock appreciation rights (in years)	9 years
2005 Plan | Stock awards subsequent to November 12, 2009 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Reduction in shares available for issuance pursuant to November 12, 2009 amendment (ratio)	1.5
2005 Plan | Stock awards subsequent to November 12, 2009 [Member] | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expiration date for stock options and stock appreciation rights (in years)	10 years
2005 Plan | Employee Stock Option | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Award Vesting Rights, Percentage	20.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Requisite Service Period	48 months
2005 Plan | Employee Stock Option | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Award Vesting Rights, Percentage	25.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Requisite Service Period	36 months
2005 Plan | Time based stock award | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Award Vesting Rights, Percentage	20.00%
2005 Plan | Time based stock award | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Award Vesting Rights, Percentage	25.00%
2005 Plan | Performance base and Market base RSU [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Requisite Service Period	3 years
2005 Plan | PRSU based on financial performance metrics | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Award Vesting Rights, Percentage	0.00%
2005 Plan | PRSU based on financial performance metrics | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Award Vesting Rights, Percentage	150.00%
2005 Plan | PRSU based on TSR [Member] | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Award Vesting Rights, Percentage	0.00%
2005 Plan | PRSU based on TSR [Member] | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Award Vesting Rights, Percentage	150.00%
2005 Plan | Performance based RSU based on Financial or nonFinancial operating goal [Member] | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Requisite Service Period	6 months
2005 Plan | Performance based RSU based on Financial or nonFinancial operating goal [Member] | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Requisite Service Period	3 years
2005 Plan | PRSU based on nonfinancial operating goals | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Award Vesting Rights, Percentage	0.00%
2005 Plan | PRSU based on nonfinancial operating goals | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Award Vesting Rights, Percentage	100.00%
1996 Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares reserved for issuance (in shares)	2,500,000,000
Termination of Stock Plan	31-Dec-06
Exercise price as a percentage of market value (in percentage)	100.00%
Expiration date for stock options and stock appreciation rights (in years)	9 years
Percentage in which stock options and RSUs become exercisable for within one year from date of grant, minimum	20.00%
Percentage in which stock options and RSUs become exercisable for within one year from date of grant, maximum	25.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights	Certain other grants utilized a 60-month ratable vesting schedule. In addition, the Board of Directors, or other committees administering the 1996 Plan, had the discretion to use a different vesting schedule and did so from time to time.
Stock options ratable vesting schedule, nonstandard (in months)	60
1996 Plan | Employee Stock Option | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Requisite Service Period	36 months
1996 Plan | Employee Stock Option | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Requisite Service Period	48 months
Employee Stock Purchase Rights
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares reserved for issuance (in shares)	621,000,000
Termination of Stock Plan	3-Jan-20
ESPP-Offering Period Plan Description	24-month offering period, which consists of four consecutive 6-month purchase periods
ESPP-Discount rate	15.00%
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans	14,000,000	14,000,000
ESPP-shares available for issuance, shares	161,000,000

Comprehensive_Income_AOCI_comp

Comprehensive Income (AOCI components) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014	Jul. 26, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
AOCI Balance			$677
AOCI Balance	187		677
Net Unrealized Gains on Investments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
AOCI Balance	424	379
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications attributable to Cisco Systems, Inc.	111	339
(Gains) losses reclassified out of AOCI	-120	-234
Tax benefit (expense)	8	-43
AOCI Balance	423	441
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) Cash Flow Hedging Instruments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
AOCI Balance	-12	8
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications attributable to Cisco Systems, Inc.	-163	46
(Gains) losses reclassified out of AOCI	94	-44
Tax benefit (expense)	3	-2
AOCI Balance	-78	8
Cumulative Translation Adjustment and Actuarial Gains (Losses)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
AOCI Balance	265	221
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications attributable to Cisco Systems, Inc.	-473	32
(Gains) losses reclassified out of AOCI	0	0
Tax benefit (expense)	50	-5
AOCI Balance	-158	248
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
AOCI Balance	677	608
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications attributable to Cisco Systems, Inc.	-525	417
(Gains) losses reclassified out of AOCI	-26	-278
Tax benefit (expense)	61	-50
AOCI Balance	$187	$697

Comprehensive_Income_Reclassif

Comprehensive Income (Reclassification out of other comprehensive income) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014
Net Unrealized Gains on Investments | Other income (loss), net
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale investments	$44	$69	$120	$234
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments:
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Total amounts reclassified out of AOCI	-64	16	-94	44
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments: | Operating expenses
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Total amounts reclassified out of AOCI	-50	13	-74	36
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments: | Cost of sales—service
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Total amounts reclassified out of AOCI	-14	3	-20	8
Total Cisco Shareholders’ Equity
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Total amounts reclassified out of AOCI	($20)	$85	$26	$278

Income_Taxes_Income_Before_Pro

Income Taxes (Income Before Provision For Income Taxes) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES	$3,035	$2,642	$8,268	$6,937
Provision for income taxes	$598	$461	$1,606	$1,331
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent	19.70%	17.40%	19.40%	19.20%

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes (Additional Information) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
R&D tax benefit related to FY 2014	$91,000,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	2,000,000,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate	1,800,000,000
Unrecognized tax benefit that could be reduced in next 12 months	$900,000,000

Segment_Information_and_Major_2

Segment Information and Major Customers (Summary Of Reportable Segments) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$12,137	$11,545	$36,318	$34,785
Gross margin	7,525	7,006	21,948	20,364
Unallocated corporate items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gross margin	-64	-233	-759	-1,332
Americas
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	7,252	6,689	21,854	20,465
Gross margin	4,560	4,196	13,776	12,823
EMEA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	3,119	3,068	9,212	8,897
Gross margin	1,949	1,967	5,774	5,725
APJC
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	1,766	1,788	5,252	5,423
Gross margin	1,080	1,076	3,157	3,148
Segment total
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gross margin	$7,589	$7,239	$22,707	$21,696

Segment_Information_and_Major_3

Segment Information and Major Customers (Summary Of Net Revenue For Groups Of Similar Products And Services) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue	$12,137	$11,545	$36,318	$34,785
Switching
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue	3,560	3,368	11,022	10,366
NGN Routing
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue	1,999	1,925	5,712	5,681
Collaboration
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue	973	909	2,912	2,859
Service Provider Video
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue	914	961	2,561	2,905
Data Center
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue	801	662	2,340	1,868
Wireless
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue	611	560	1,827	1,624
Security
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue	412	361	1,283	1,119
Other
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue	56	74	182	218
Product:
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue	9,326	8,820	27,839	26,640
Service
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue	$2,811	$2,725	$8,479	$8,145

Segment_Information_and_Major_4

Segment Information and Major Customers (Property and Equipment Information for Geographic Areas) (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 25, 2015	Jul. 26, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Property and equipment, net	$3,276	$3,252
United States
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Property and equipment, net	2,709	2,697
International
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Property and equipment, net	$567	$555

Segment_Information_and_Major_5

Segment Information and Major Customers (Additional Information) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014	Jul. 26, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of geographic segments			3
Revenue	$12,137,000,000	$11,545,000,000	$36,318,000,000	$34,785,000,000
United States
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	6,400,000,000	5,900,000,000	19,100,000,000	17,900,000,000
Cash and cash equivalents and investments	2,600,000,000		2,600,000,000		4,700,000,000
International
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents and investments	$51,800,000,000		$51,800,000,000		$47,400,000,000

Net_Income_per_Share_Calculati

Net Income per Share (Calculation Of Basic And Diluted Net Income Per Share) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income	$2,437	$2,181	$6,662	$5,606
Weighted-average shares—basic (in shares)	5,102	5,143	5,110	5,271
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Share-based Payment Arrangements (in shares)	46	37	44	40
Weighted-average shares—diluted (in shares)	5,148	5,180	5,154	5,311
Net income per share—basic	$0.48	$0.42	$1.30	$1.06
Net income per share—diluted	$0.47	$0.42	$1.29	$1.06
Antidilutive employee share-based awards, excluded (in shares)	75	240	156	331