Nnamdi Ofoborh notched his first league goal for Swindon to help lift the strugglers eight points away from the League Two relegation zone.
The former Bournemouth midfielder worked some space 25 yards out and picked his spot with a vicious dipping drive after just eight minutes before Harry Smith sealed the win in the 87th minute.
The Robins had most goal chances, with left-back George Cox cutting inside and unleashing an inswinger well wide of the far post before captain Ollie Clarke flashed a header wide from a corner.
After the break Gavin Kilkenny bulldozed his way into the box but slammed his shot into the side netting and Will Wright’s inswinging corner had Paul Farman scrambling to tip over.
Tyler Smith nearly levelled with a near-post diving header but keeper Jack Bycroft reacted well.
With Barrow struggling to create any danger despite keeping up the pressure Smith won a 50-50 with the keeper, picked himself up off the deck and slotted in from an acute angle.
Fellow striker Aaron Drinan then hit the post after a rare flowing Swindon move.
