Targett joined Boro on loan for the full season in the summer but the deal included a recall clause for Newcastle in the January window.
That clause was due to expire midway through the month but was extended until the end of the window because Newcastle were dealing with an injury crisis.
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Despite the return of Dan Burn, the Magpies are still without a number of defenders, with Tino Livramento, Fabian Schar and Emil Krafth all sidelined. Sven Botman also missed the weekend defeat at Liverpool.
After that game, Howe said Newcastle would consider to weigh up the Targett recall decision until the end of the window.
But in the end the Magpies opted to allow Targett to stay at Boro, to the delight of the left-back, who is a key player for Kim Hellberg's promotion chasing side and is understood to be loving his time on Teesside.
For all Howe obviously has to put Newcastle's needs first, United's head coach says it's important to also consider the player's preference in a situation such as Targett's, with the defender now into his final months of his contract at St James' Park and set to become a free agent in the summer.
"It's not just for our wants and needs," said Newcastle's boss, who also discussed the decision to allow Jamaal Lascelles to leave for Leicester.
"There is another side to look at, and that is the player's perspective.
"So I don't think it is wise to force things on players that they don't want because you have to have a harmonious dressing room here.
"You have to have a group that is all aligned in the same direction. And of course that is no criticism of the players, everybody has different contract lengths and they have to think about their long-term futures.
"Certainly, both players are highly valued by us. But we have to make long-term decisions that help the football club on a daily basis."
Targett has started 25 of Boro's 30 Championship games so far this season, covering at centre-back and also playing through a slight injury during the festive period when Hellberg was down to the bare bones at the back.
The head coach said at the time: “He has played some games through pain, and I think that says a lot about Matt in terms of being a loan player, coming here and playing through pain when we needed him.
“He’s played centre-back when he is not used to playing centre-back. That tells you everything about him. I think he’s an unbelievable character, such a good person with everyone, always helping everyone, always happy. He’s top.”