There s a few steps joe goes through when getting.
Remove old ceiling light box.
If the box is nailed to the joist loosen the box by striking it with a hammer.
Unfasten the screws if the box is held to the ceiling joist with screws.
As noted elsewhere your best bet is to put a box nearby to lower the number of wires then run only the needed wires into the box.
Video of the day.
As you pull the box from the ceiling carefully remove the wires from the box.
Lower the existing fixture off the wall or ceiling by taking out the mounting screws holding it to the electrical box exposing the wiring behind it.
Pull out the box when the.
Take out the screws or remove the nuts from the top of the old ceiling box if it is attached to a hanger bar suspended between the joists.
Push the wires aside and insert a hacksaw through the hole in the ceiling.
Remove the box from the ceiling.
I ve done that myself and it helps a great deal when you have a box stuffed with wires.
As an alternative to removing the ceiling box you can cover it with a decorative plate and install the recessed light.
Remove the box and pull the bars from the ceiling joists.
Rotating the bolts unhooks the anchors behind the box from the drywall.
If a bar hanger supports the box between two ceiling joists cut through the bar with a hacksaw.
As you pull the box from the ceiling carefully remove the wires from the box.
Take out the screws or remove the nuts from the top of the old ceiling box if it is attached to a hanger bar suspended between the joists.
Remove a remodeling box by turning the anchor bolts on the front of the box using a screwdriver.
The finished replacement of an old style pancake ceiling electrical box ready for a standard light fixture the box above is ready for a standard light fixture installation.
If you re determined to remove it i would cut the drywall back and see if you can detach it from below.
Push the wires aside and insert a hacksaw through the hole in the ceiling.